Week 14 Anytime Fitness Men’s Rising Star: Ryder Daffy

The VAFA congratulates Ryder Daffy from Canterbury Football Club who has been nominated as the Week 14 Anytime Fitness Men’s Rising Star. Ryder is a smart-thinking small forward with an exceptional ability to create and protect space. His impact in the Cobras’ forward line has made a significant impact and contributed to their winning streak.

What the club said:

Senior Coach Steve Brown said: “Ryder has been an outstanding addition to our footy club. His ability to both find the space and protect it in front of him is elite. He knows where the goals are and how to make his teammates better.

More importantly Ryder is a very humble polite kid from a great family and we have loved having him and his mates along for the ride this year. We are very grateful to have him down at Canterbury”

Ryder Daffy arrived at Canterbury midway through the season and has made an immediate impact since debuting in Round 10 against MHSOB. At 18 years old, the lively small forward has quickly become a standout performer, kicking 20 goals from his first 4 Senior games (6, 5, 3, 6) and helping steer the Cobras to a four-game winning streak after a 1-8 start to the season. He also understands how important it is to tackle inside forward 50.

Brought to the club by Round 2 Rising Star Nominee Jackson Smith; Ryder is known not only for his sharp footy instincts and forward pressure, but also for his humble nature and incredible work ethic off the field. A quiet achiever with a strong competitive edge, he’s quickly earned the respect of teammates and coaches alike. Highly ambitious and driven to succeed, his commitment to improvement is clear, and he represents exactly the kind of young talent Canterbury is proud to nurture.

The Canterbury Football Club is incredibly proud to have two of our young players, Jackson Smith and Ryder Daffy, nominated for the 2025 VAFA Rising Star. We’re especially proud that both players have earned this recognition through strong performances at Senior level; a reflection of our commitment to giving young players meaningful opportunities in our Senior program.

Developing emerging talent is a core focus at CFC, and the culture our coaching group has built, led by Steve Brown, continues to drive growth and connection across the entire club. We look forward to continuing to invest in our people and supporting their development both on and off the field.