OUR HISTORY
THE
EARLY YEARS
As a talented group of Colts players completed their final season at the Preston Bullants Junior Football Club (PBJFC) in 2008 with a premiership, they found themselves searching for a new place to call home. PBJFC decided to form a team in the short-lived VAFA U18s competition, before folding the team just a season later.
In late 2010, we approached the VAFA to field a team in the North Division under the name of the Northern Bullants as a completely new team. This team competed in 2011, however many of the players were approaching the overage bracket. Subsequently, through constructive discussion with the VAFA, we fielded a side in the Premier B Thirds division in 2012. It was also this year that we changed our name to the Northern Blues, with an additional U19’s team coached by George Wakim - who would go on to coach our Senior Men’s side from its inception until 2021.
Subsequently, in our inaugural Senior Men’s year in 2013, we won the VAFA Division 4 premiership after finishing sixth on the ladder. This was closely followed by another premiership, as our Senior Men’s side went back-to-back after being promoted to Division 3 in 2014. This great team was led by the ubiquitous George Wakim; a club legend who held the position of Senior Men’s coach for a total of 9 years. Finishing up in 2021, Wakim has set an incredibly strong foundation and has built a legacy that will see him remembered at Preston for many years to come.
PROUD TO BE PRESTON
In 2016, we rebranded once again to reflect the values of our surrounding community and became the Preston Bullants Amateur Football Club. This same year, we moved to our current facilities at W.R. Ruthven Reserve, located on the corner of Malpas St and Donald St in Preston.
Also in 2016, our Senior Men’s side won the Division 2 premiership, whilst our two other sides (Reserve Men and U19 Men) progressed to the preliminary final in their respective divisions. With three premierships in four years for our Senior Men’s side, we were ready to take on Division 1.
In 2018, the club expanded once more to welcome our inaugural Senior Women’s football team, opening the doors to women and girls in the local community to play at Preston. Our inaugural Senior Women’s team immediately came close to tasting success, progressing to the Grand Final in just our first year.
Just one year later, in 2019, our women’s side pulled off an impressive feat. Coached by former Darebin Shire Mayor Vince Fontana, the team won a premiership in just our second year - a fantastic achievement in such a short amount of time.
Also in 2019, our Senior Men’s side tasted success once again, as we took out the Division 1 premiership following a tough start to the year. After a strong run home, we blazed our way into the finals and won our fourth premiership in seven years, capping off an incredibly successful year for the whole club.
WHERE WE ARE NOW
After winning the 2019 Division 1 premiership, our Senior Men’s side was faced with our toughest challenge yet. Promoted to Premier C with a COVID-affected year adding to the challenge, we gave it our all across the 2021 season. Our U19’s team showed great character across this season, finishing within the finals bracket; unfortunately, lockdowns prevented a fairytale ending, and the season ended prematurely. Our women’s side experienced a vital year of development, as many new faces joined the team.
In 2022, our Senior Men’s and Reserve’s sides are excited to take on the challenge of Premier C once more, under the guidance of our new Senior Men’s coach, George Cotsonis. Our U19’s and Women’s sides are also well-placed to perform well in 2022, following years of development and improvement.
If you want to meet some of the great people who will be leading our charge into 2022, click the button below.