Round 5 VAFA Men’s Rising Star: Jasper Russell

The VAFA congratulates Jasper Russell from Old Haileybury, who has been nominated as the Round 5 VAFA Men’s Rising Star.

Jasper collected a game high 34 disposals and 9 rebound 50s for Old Haileybury in William Buck Premier Men’s on the weekend.

What the club said:

Jasper joined Old Haileybury for the 2025 season after completing his schooling at Haileybury College in 2024. During 2025, he spent most of his season playing with the Dandenong Stingrays and also represented Vic Metro in the Under 18 Carnival, showcasing his talent across multiple levels. For the 2026 season, Jasper joined the Casey Demons VFL squad and has continued his football journey with Old Haileybury, playing every match so far this year with us.

Since coming into our team, Jasper has quickly cemented himself as a cornerstone of our defence. He has seamlessly integrated into our young group, consistently impressing both coaches and teammates with his calmness under pressure and emerging leadership on and off the field as well as his likable and friendly nature. Jasper’s adaptability, poise, and strong presence have made a genuine impact, and his contributions have not gone unnoticed.

We are absolutely delighted to have Jasper as part of Old Haileybury and are excited to witness his development as he is a young man on the move. There’s no doubt in our minds that he will become one of the stars of the VAFA competition and, potentially, make an impact beyond VAFA ranks.