On 16 October 1914, three weeks after the end of the 1914 season, the University Football Club dropped out of the Victorian Football League (VFL).[5] The club had competed in the MJFA/MAFA with a senior team in 1906 and 1907, and had been fielding a "2nd" (reserves) team in the competition since 1908.[6] After leaving the VFL, University's senior team returned to the MAFA in 1915, with several of its VFL players staying with the club.[7]
Additionally, the Caulfield Football Club combined with Malvern prior to the start of the 1915 season and became known as "Caulfield-Malvern".[8][9]
World War I
The 1915 home-and-away season was originally scheduled to end on 26 August.[10] However, due to the impacts of World War I – including a significant number of players enlisting in the Australian Army – the MJFA decided at a meeting on 26 July to curtail the home-and-away season four weeks early.[11][12]
Prior to the final games held in round 14, some clubs had already struggled to find players as a result of enlistments.[1][13] This included Collegians, which on 17 July was unable to field a team for the first time – and as of 2024, only time – in its history.[14]
Following the conclusion of the season, officials from the VFL sought to have the MAFA become a reserves competition to the VFL for the 1916 season.[3] At least two clubs – Beverley and South Yarra – reported the MAFA that they had been "approached" about becoming reserves teams to Richmond and St Kilda respectively.[3] The MAFA announced in late 1915 that they would not resume competition until the war had ended, while also stating that they were not prepared to be absorbed by the VFL.[3] Ultimately, no MAFA seasons would be held until 1920.[15][16]
As of 30 July 1915, 164 MJFA players had been enlisted in the Australian Army:[11]
At the time, the MAFA used the Argus finals system, which gave the club that finished first on the ladder at the end of the home-and-away season (the minor premiers) the right to challenge the winner of the finals series for the premiership.[42]
Leopold and Fitzroy Juniors drew in their match, with the final score being 10.11 (71) each.[1] At the time, a rule existed in the MAFA which stated "that should a tie take place in either of the matches played in the second round [finals series] the club with the best performances during the season shall adjourned the winner".[45] With Leopold finishing the home-and-away season with two points more than Fitzroy Juniors, the MAFA decided at a meeting on 2 August that they would advance to the grand final.[46]
The semi-finals were originally scheduled to be held on 28 August prior to the curtailing of the home-and-away season.[10]