The VFL will remain a 21-team competition in 2026, after the Preston Bullants, formerly the Northern Bullants, were booted from the competition.
The league was set to become a 22-team competition next year, following the end of Sandringham and St Kilda's alliance, but it'll now remain in its current form following the Bullants' departure.
Preston's tenure in the league was always vulnerable with the club facing financial troubles. But on Monday the AFL officially told the club they would take no further part in Victoria's premier state league, according to Code Sports' Paul Amy.
"Historic Victorian club Preston has been booted out of the VFL. Officials are in a meeting with the AFL and have been told the 143-year-old Bullants are losing their licence," Amy reported on X.
Breaking: Historic Victorian club Preston has been booted out of the VFL. Officials are in a meeting with the AFL and have been told the 143-year-old Bullants are losing their licence.
— Paul Amy (@PaulAmy375) October 6, 2025
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Along with their off-field troubles, the Bullants hadn't been very steady on-field either.
Over the past four seasons they had only produced a combined seven wins, while claiming the wooden spoon in three of those four seasons.
The club last tasted premiership success in 1984.
From 2003-2020 the club was affiliated with Carlton, a partnership that helped the club reach consecutive VFL Grand Finals in 2009 and 2010, although both resulted in losses. As part of the alliance, the club renamed to the Northern Blues from 2012-2020, before returning to being nicknamed the Bullants once the alliance ceased during the COVID-era.
After winning two games in 2025, the club was set to be known as the Preston Bullants moving forward.