VFL: Steve Papal steps down as president of the Northern Bullants

VFL club Northern Bullants has a new president after the long-serving Steve Papal stood aside at the AGM.

Long-serving Northern Bullants president Steve Papal has stood down.

Long-serving Northern Bullants president Steve Papal has stepped down, but he says he won’t be straying far from Cramer St.

Papal was instrumental in keeping the historic club going after Carlton walked away from its VFL alignment with the Ants early in 2020.

He stood aside at the AGM in February, 14 years after becoming president.

“We’re in a great position,’’ Papal said yesterday.

“We have no debt, we made a good profit last year, we’ve brought in new board members and everything is heading in the right direction.

“The club couldn’t be in a better place.’’

Whitlam Malkoun, a board member for four years, has taken over as president of the Bullants.

He’s also a past president of the Preston juniors.

Papal pledged to support the new head of the administration, and will oversee sponsorship and “new business’’.

He said he remained “100 per cent committed’’ to the Northern Bullants but had to devote more time to his business.

“It’s through the roof and I need to weigh in there,’’ he said.

Tynan Smith and Ben Silvagni leave Piranha Park with the Battle of Bell Street Trophy, won over Coburg last year. Photo: Nathan McNeill (NWM Media).

Bob Tregear, a former chairman of AFL Victoria, also stood down from the board.

In his resignation letter Papal said: “My involvement at the club will remain at a subcommittee level to ensure we build on a successful year in 2021, both on and off the field.

“The return of the Northern Bullants FC as a stand-alone club is a proud achievement to all involved. It is very exciting that we have preserved 140 years of club history and continue to keep our great club alive.

“I extend my gratitude to everyone at the Northern Bullants FC for your ongoing support and entrusting me as president over the years. It has been a great honour.

“To the Carlton FC, AFL Victoria, all club presidents, CEOs, staff and volunteers over my journey – I have formed valuable friendships and been inspired by the wonderful work everyone contributes for their respective clubs and the game.

“I sincerely appreciate the support and respect I have received over many fulfilling years.’’

In August 2020 Papal – a VFL life member – told how he, coach Josh Fraser and board member Darren Bassett had met in Fratellino Pizzeria in South Yarra a few weeks after Carlton walked away from the Bullants.

They were “commiserating’’ over a meal and a few beers.

“We were just devastated about the Ants going under. Didn’t see it coming,’’ Papal recalled.

But as the night wore on they got talking about the possibility of the Bullants coming back as a stand-alone club.

Papal whipped out a pen and paper and they jotted down what needed to happen and who could be involved.

“That’s where it all started, that pizza place in South Yarra, between the three of us,’’ he said.

“We just tossed the whole thing around, if it could be possible to go stand-alone. Just thrashed it around and wrote things down, how we would structure it up, how we would do it as a stand-alone. So that’s where we really decided to have a go at doing it.’’

Under Fraser the Bullants won three and lost seven of their matches in 2021.

He’s since returned to Collingwood as a development coach and been replaced by former Adelaide star Ben Hart.