Round 3 VAFA Men’s Rising Star: Tom Hill
The VAFA congratulates Tom Hill from University Blues, who has been nominated as the Round 3 VAFA Men’s Rising Star. Tom was exceptional in the Blues’ William Buck Premier Men’s
Chinese footballer Chen Shao Liang (Surname is Chen, first name is Shao Liang) has been flown in from the Guangzhou Scorpions to play for the Dragons Football Club over the next three weeks.
Shao Liang is part of the AFL China development group of players and commenced playing football at university where he is studying physical education and is hoping to be a teacher or a coach.
Shao Liang was accompanied by Darren Flanigan (130 games Geelong, 8 games St Kilda) to Elsternwick Park straight from Tullamarine Airport to meet with VAFA staff to welcome him to Australia. Darren works regularly in China as part of the AFL China development team, and wants to encourage more players from China to make their way to Australia
Shao Liang speaks just a small amount of English which should make playing for the Dragons a little easier as there are a number of Chinese speakers on the team. When Shao Liang is not at the Dragons he will also train at Wesley College’s 1st XVIII. In total it is a four week trip that will take in 3 rounds of football. Shao Liang is set to debut for the Dragons this weekend.
The VAFA congratulates Tom Hill from University Blues, who has been nominated as the Round 3 VAFA Men’s Rising Star. Tom was exceptional in the Blues’ William Buck Premier Men’s
The VAFA Recognition Awards are proudly returning in 2026, continuing to celebrate the people who make community football thrive. The program acknowledges the incredible dedication and impact of grassroots contributors
Round 3 saw strong fourth-quarter performances from MHSOB and Whitefriars, while Luca Di Lallo and Charlie Deacon starred with seven and six goals respectively in a cracking round of Division
