Week 18 Anytime Fitness Women’s Rising Star: Tess Maloney

The VAFA congratulates Tess Maloney from Port Melbourne Chargers Women’s Football Club, who has been nominated as the Week 18 Anytime Fitness Women’s Rising Star.

What the club said:

We’re thrilled that Tess Maloney has been recognised as this week’s VAFA Anytime Fitness Rising Star nominee.

Tess’s love for sport and particularly AFL started from an early age. Joining Auskick in 2013, Tess immediately wanted to be playing games, which she has done since 2016. She played in both mixed and girls’ football teams throughout her early years, until the disruption of COVID-19 temporarily paused her momentum.

As soon as community sport resumed, Tess was back — and she hasn’t looked back since.

Tess played more than 130 junior games with the Port Melbourne Colts Junior and  has represented the South Metro Junior Football League in AFL Vic Metro rep games. 

This year at just 16, Tess joined the Port Melbourne Chargers. In Round 4 Tess debuted with the Port Chargers senior team and has played a total of 17 games for the Chargers this season. Tess has continued to impress with her strong forward pressure, clean hands, and football instinct. Tess also continued to play netball and was awarded MVP and her team went on to win their netball grand final.

What sets Tess apart is more than her football skill, it is who she is as a person.

From an early age Tess has always led with her heart, with her friends describing her fierce loyalty and how she always shows up no matter what, to lighten the mood and go the extra mile. 

Even with so many things on her plate, she always says yes and makes time for others. Tess is known for her quiet determination, strong work ethic, and being a selfless team player, displaying her care and commitment to her team. 

While Tess prefers to stay out of the spotlight, with 154 games and close to 100 goals already under her belt, Tess is a shining example of the Port Melbourne Pathway — and we are all excited to see where her future goes.