VFL 2025

[bedford]

might have to go to coburg, preston, williamstown or werribee

1 at North Port

 

[Flyingleslieskite]

Richmond kicked the first 3 goals and I took a giant gulp, but Willy worked their way into the game and got on top in the 2nd.

Tigers were ordinary after their initial 3 goals and only kicked 5 more for the game, nowhere near the strength of BH and the Pies who have visited recently.

Willy should have won by more but couldn't shake Richmond who hung in the game, but outclassed in the end.

Glad Willy didn't throw their season away after their 8 consecutive wins, sorry for Coburg.

Looked like neither side were trying to win, Williamstown burnt so many chances yet Richmond were just sniffing round.

Coburg on the other hand, what a season. Who would have thought this time 2 years ago they'd be thinking about finals after a winless season leading to questions about their place and future in the competition.

 

[eth-dog]

FFS Richmond. One job.

 

[AnUltimateRessie]

Interesting to see where Collingwood will play their wildcard game next week. They're likely to finish 7th or 8th. Next Saturday there's an AFLW game at Victoria Park, might be at Olympic Park or neutral ground.

I believe they're going to play on Sunday

 

[AnUltimateRessie]

also yeah **** richmond

 

[AnUltimateRessie]

I believe they're going to play on Sunday

Richmond v GWS, 12:10 saturday @ ETU
Collingwood v Williamstown, 2:05 sunday @ vic park

 

[Flyingleslieskite]

Richmond v GWS, 12:10 saturday @ ETU
Collingwood v Williamstown, 2:05 sunday @ vic park

Onya Ultimate

 

[Shonuff77]

Obviously Richmond worked out a deal with the council to play at North Port Oval. I'm surprised they split the games on different days. I wanted to go to Victoria Park but I already committed to the bulldogs-dockers match at Marvel. Off to Port Melbourne then.

 

[bedford]

Richmond v GWS, 12:10 saturday @ ETU
Collingwood v Williamstown, 2:05 sunday @ vic park

North Port !

 

[Yoda_]

Well, it's a draw.

Pretty ordinary second half. At least we kept the margin small enough to keep 4th. The actual results means very little in the end.

Footscray in two weeks will be an interesting one. Time to see if we've truly matured since midway through the year.

just be happy, was a bloody good game. Both sides could have taken the game away but in the end was a fitting result the draw

 

[AnUltimateRessie]

I'm surprised they split the games on different days.

forced to by the AFLW and not wanting to play it at AIA

 

[bedford]

Sandy coaching applications closed at 5 pm

 

[Flyingleslieskite]

Sandy coaching applications closed at 5 pm

Heard its Gary Ayres' if he wants it

 

[bedford]

Heard its Gary Ayres' if he wants it

I promise you it won't be

 

[Flyingleslieskite]

I promise you it won't be

Correct they say hes bound for another local club

 

[Flyingleslieskite]

Preston, meanwhile...

 

[bedford]

Sadly was that the Bullants last game

Sadly i think i was right

 

[AussieNick1999]

Northern Bullants

Sadly i think i was right

AFL will turn their backs as they didn't with Frankston in 2016. It's up to the community to rally behind Preston now.

 

[AussieNick1999]

A bit of sad news for Frankston today. Club just posted that current board member and life member Donna Rooks has passed away.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

People can blame the AFL etc but this sounds like some major mismanagement from the previous board. Ridiculous revenue budgets, overspending, people and suppliers not being paid.

Sounds like things are not good.


Dear All,

Last Thursday, members of the Preston Football Club “the Club” (formerly the Northern Bullants Football Club) and I, together with General Manager Mr. Peter German, met with the General Manager of the AFL State Leagues Ms. Jennie Loughnan and her colleagues regarding the sustainability of the Club, and the viability of the Club in the 2026 VFL season.

The AFL had conducted an audit into the Club’s trading affairs of 2025, as well as the substantial debts (many hidden and undisclosed to this current Board) the Club had incurred and not paid through the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

It is worthy of note to at least this extent, or in pointing out the irregularities surrounding the Club’s finances, that this current Board, as well as the services of the General Manager, did not commence formally until 16 June 2025, and in the latter’s situation – late March 2025.

Previous management were responsible for the 2025 recruitment and “signing on” of players and coaches, as well as other debts, including those to the Australian Taxation Office, the Darebin City Council (lease payments of the ground etc), and utility payments. A projection of revenue for season 2025 was made to the AFL that in time, did not even realise half of what was outlined. The obtaining of sponsorship and the management of sponsorship was a decided failure.

In the end, which could easily be seen when this Board took control of the management of the Club, weekly expenditure far exceeded the weekly revenue of the Club, and that’s where, I must say, we as a Club, have failed the AFL, our coaches, players, you – as members and supporters of this proud Club – and this current Board administration.

When I took over the presidency of this Club and constructed a carefully chosen Board – professional people who have given their personal time to help remedy the debts of the Club, there was barely a quorum of personnel on the Board. The Club now has a full list, including some non-Board members giving substantial and valuable time to the cause of the Club – with the main cause being viable and sustainable in season 2026.

The current Board has identified and cleared many debts from 2024 and remained in constant communication with the AFL, while trying to maintain some semblance of structure on and off the field.

To this end I must thank a number of people – firstly Mr. Peter German, the Club’s General Manager. He has worked tirelessly in his endeavours to keep the Club competitive. He has worked six, sometimes seven days a week to manage this Club. He has maintained a constant professionalism, despite being misled into a position of trust at the Club in the first instance. His experience from an AFL level has been of great assistance to me in particular. Without his input and guidance, this Club would not have fielded a team beyond Round 6 of this season.

Rohan Welsh, the Club’s head coach, has been faced with an avalanche of problems, yet maintained structure around his players and coaches, and never once failed in his duties. At times his playing group was limited in numbers, and at various other stages, lost faith in the Club’s Board. Looking back at the limited scope Rohan had to coach his team, this is quite understandable. There can be little argument that Rohan and his coaching staff have improved the playing group to no end.

Performances at an individual level and from a team perspective improved greatly in the last six rounds of the season, during which time the team defeated Sydney in Sydney, along with Williamstown, rallying from 35 points down in the last term to get over the finals aspirants. Arguably, one might say the team should also have beaten Coburg, having succeeded in all the key statistical areas, except the most important one – the scoreboard!

The current Board has been a delight to work with, and they are collectively and individually quite selfless. Countless Board meetings, attendances at AFL House, meeting with prospective sponsors and high-end members, and giving their own personal time on game day has made such a difference.

To the volunteers: Well, they’re worth their weight in gold, but the Club has barely enough of them. Strangely we see a lot of comments on social media, but yet these people don’t volunteer their time.

People of the like of Peter Darcy and his own field team of volunteers – David Haynes

David Haynes

Age

44

Ht

189cm

Wt

94kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.0

3star

K

6.9

3star

HB

3.1

3star

M

4.1

4star

T

1.3

3star

G

0.9

4star

No current season stats available

D

5.4

2star

K

3.6

2star

HB

1.8

2star

M

1.4

2star

T

0.6

3star

G

0.4

3star

, Stasi Annou, Chrissy Fourlis, Leo Puglisi and Michael Howard, just to name a few – have been constants throughout the year. But, we need another 20-30 Peter Darcys and David Hayne’ to make this club viable in match day operations.

The Club needs support – volunteer support – to be viable and sustainable. Not adverse commentary from the hidden agenda of so-called supporters on Facebook and Instagram. Some of those people, and you know who you are, talk of the good old days, when they went to the Club and watched the likes of Harold Martin and Ray Shaw etc. Well, the Club now needs your support in any way you can provide.

A membership. 2-3 hours of your time on a home game match day. A donation. Attendance at past-player reunions. Attendance at the best-and-fairest count. It all helps. Did you know Preston City Oval is classified by the National Heritage Trust? Yet, we are in the throes of losing it forever.

If anyone can give support to our Rallying the Tin Cans Day in October, please contact social@northernbullantsfc.com.au. We will be walking the streets of old Preston town seeking donations to help and support the Club to be viable and sustainable in season 2026. If you can add to joining a group to walk the streets it would be very much appreciated. It will be one day out of your life to support your Club. The Preston Bullants need you.

Finally, the club will hold a Members and Supporters Night next Tuesday (26 August 2025), commencing at 7pm. Current board members will be present. It will not be a night to cast the blame at anyone, or to fingerpoint in an area. The meeting is designed to seek out financial support or point the club to an area where financial assistance can be sought.

In addition to the foregoing, the administration of the Preston Football Club will endorse and promote the business of M.F. McLeod Transport Pty Ltd in a favourable and positive manner, which includes engaging Club Directors and officials, administrative staff, players, coaches and club partners to the partnership.

Sonia, on behalf of our Club, I would like to thank you, Lenny, Rocky and M.F. Transport Pty Ltd for your support of the Preston Football Club and I look forward to our partnership in season 2026.

Yours sincerely,

Neil Howard
President

 

[AnUltimateRessie]

If anyone can give support to our Rallying the Tin Cans Day in October, please contact social@northernbullantsfc.com.au. We will be walking the streets of old Preston town seeking donations to help and support the Club to be viable and sustainable in season 2026. If you can add to joining a group to walk the streets it would be very much appreciated. It will be one day out of your life to support your Club. The Preston Bullants need you.

yikes

what year is this

 

[Dogs till i die]

Fingers crossed for the Bullants.

 

[Flyingleslieskite]

yikes

what year is this

2025

 

[AussieNick1999]

Frankston are organising supporter buses for next week. First bus has already sold out and a second has been requested.

 

[Shonuff77]

Richmond knock GWS out of the finals race in an entertaining game. Great weather for footy in front of a poor crowd.