Week 20 VAFA Men’s Rising Star: Patrick Klonis

The VAFA congratulates Patrick Klonis from Mazenod OC, who has been nominated as the Week 20 VAFA Men’s Rising Star.

Patrick has been a consistent performer in Premier C Men’s, featuring in all 18 senior games this year. He capped off his campaign with an impressive 24 disposals, 13 tackles and six clearances on the weekend.

What the club said:

Patrick Klonis joined Mazenod OCFC this season from Waverley Park Hawks JFC, making the step up to senior football in his very first year out of juniors. Despite being one of the youngest players in the senior squad, he’s approached the transition with maturity, humility, and a strong appetite for development – training hard, applying feedback, and earning the respect of teammates and coaches through his professionalism. On top of his club form, he’s also been selected for the Under 19 Victorian team this season (Vice Captain).

Coach Quote:

“Patrick’s Round 18 performance summed up everything he’s brought to the team this season. His work rate is exceptional — he covers enormous ground and presents as an option at both ends of the ground, and he can hold that intensity from the first bounce to the last siren. He puts his body on the line every time the ball’s in dispute, and his strength and clean hands under pressure give his teammates first use and drive us forward. Defensively he’s relentless — his tackling pressure and willingness to chase and harass opponents create turnovers and disrupt the opposition all day. For someone so young and in his first season of senior football, the professionalism, humility, and improvement mindset he brings to training every week has been outstanding. He’s earned the respect of this whole group.” – Andrew Pickering Senior Coach