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{{short description|Australia and Malta international rugby league footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2013}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2013}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Michael Vella
|name = Michael Vella
|fullname =
|fullname = Michael Vella
|image = Michael Vella (23 April 2005).jpg
|image = Michael Vella (23 April 2005).jpg
|image_size = 200px
|image_size = 200px
|caption = <small>Vella in 2005</small>
|caption = <small>Vella in 2005</small>
|position = {{rlp|PR}}
|position = {{rlp|PR}}
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1978|2|19}}
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1978|2|19}}
|birth_place = [[Sydney, New South Wales]], Australia
|birth_place = [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]], Australia
|retired = yes
|retired = yes
|height = {{convert|191|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
|height = {{convert|191|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
|weight = {{convert|106|kg|stlb|abbr=on}} <ref>{{cite web|url= http://hullkr.co.uk/mick-vella-22|title= Hull KR The Official Site of the Robins|work= web page|publisher= Hull Kingston Rovers RLFC|accessdate= 13 August 2011|deadurl= yes|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20110814075921/http://hullkr.co.uk/mick-vella-22|archivedate= 14 August 2011|df= dmy-all}}</ref>
|weight = {{convert|106|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web|url= http://hullkr.co.uk/mick-vella-22|title= Hull KR The Official Site of the Robins|work= web page|publisher= Hull Kingston Rovers RLFC|access-date= 13 August 2011|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110814075921/http://hullkr.co.uk/mick-vella-22|archive-date= 14 August 2011}}</ref>
|club1 = [[Parramatta Eels]]
|club1 = [[Parramatta Eels]]
|year1start = 1998
|year1start = 1998
Line 37: Line 38:
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 0
|pointsA = 0
|teamB = [[Malta national rugby league team|Malta]]
|teamB = [[Australia national rugby league team|Australia]]
|yearBstart =
|yearBstart = 1999
|yearBend =
|yearBend = 01
|appearancesB =
|appearancesB = 8
|triesB =
|triesB = 0
|goalsB =
|goalsB = 0
|fieldgoalsB =
|fieldgoalsB = 0
|pointsB =
|pointsB = 0
|teamC = [[Australia national rugby league team|Australia]]
| teamC = [[Malta national rugby league team|Malta]]
|yearCstart = 1999
| yearCstart =
|yearCend = 01
| yearCend =
|appearancesC = 11
| appearancesC = 0
|triesC = 0
| triesC = 0
|goalsC = 0
| goalsC = 0
|fieldgoalsC = 0
| fieldgoalsC = 0
|pointsC = 0
| pointsC = 0
|updated = 23 January 2010
|updated = 6 June 2019
|source = <ref>[https://www.loverugbyleague.com/stats/players/Michael-Vella/ loverugbyleague]</ref><ref>[http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/michael-vella/summary.html Rugby League Project]</ref>
|source = <ref>[https://www.loverugbyleague.com/stats/players/Michael-Vella/ loverugbyleague]</ref><ref>[http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/michael-vella/summary.html Rugby League Project]</ref>
|new = yes
|new = yes
}}
}}


'''Michael Vella''' is a former professional [[rugby league]] footballer of the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. A [[New South Wales rugby league team|New South Wales]] [[State of Origin]] and [[Australia national rugby league team|Australian international]] representative forward, he played his club football in the [[NRL]] for the [[Parramatta Eels]], and in the European [[Super League]] for [[Hull Kingston Rovers]], who he also captained. In addition to representing Australia internationally, he has played for the [[Malta national rugby league team|Malta Knights]] as he is of Maltese descent.
'''Michael Vella''' is an Australian former professional [[rugby league]] footballer who played in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. A [[New South Wales rugby league team|New South Wales]] [[State of Origin]] and [[Australia national rugby league team|Australian international]] representative forward, he played his club football in the [[NRL]] for the [[Parramatta Eels]], and in the [[Super League]] for [[Hull Kingston Rovers]], who he also captained. In addition to representing Australia internationally, he has played for the [[Malta national rugby league team|Malta Knights]] as he is of Maltese descent.


==Playing career==
⚫
Vella was selected to play from the interchange bench for [[New South Wales rugby league team|New South Wales]] in Game II of the [[1999 State of Origin series]]. At the end of the season he helped the [[Australian national rugby league team|Australian national team]] to victory in the final of the [[1999 Rugby League Tri-Nations|1999 Tri-nations]] tournament.
Vella made his first grade debut for Parramatta against [[North Queensland Cowboys|North Queensland]] in Round 11 1998 at [[Willows Sports Complex]].


⚫
Vella was selected to play from the interchange bench for [[New South Wales rugby league team|New South Wales]] in Game II of the [[1999 State of Origin series]].
⚫
Vella played for the [[Parramatta Eels]] at prop forward in their [[2001 NRL grand final]] loss to the [[Newcastle Knights]]. After that he represented Australia during their successful [[2000 Rugby League World Cup|2000 World Cup]] campaign and the following year went on the [[2001 Kangaroo Tour]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport/hi/english/static/in_depth/rugby_league/2001/ashes/vella.stm 2001 Ashes profile] at news.bbc.co.uk</ref>


⚫
At club level, Vella was selected as the Dally M rookie of the year in 1999 and played 24 games for Parramatta as the club reached the preliminary final against Melbourne. Parramatta went into the break leading 16-0 but lost the match 18–16 at full time. At the end of the season he helped the [[Australian national rugby league team|Australian national team]] to victory in the final of the [[1999 Rugby League Tri-Nations|1999 Tri-nations]] tournament. After that he represented Australia during their successful [[2000 Rugby League World Cup|2000 World Cup]] campaign and the following year went on the [[2001 Kangaroo Tour]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport/hi/english/static/in_depth/rugby_league/2001/ashes/vella.stm 2001 Ashes profile] at news.bbc.co.uk</ref>
In 2005, the rugby league world was shocked to learn Vella was fighting thyroid cancer.<ref>http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2005/02/24/1109180047215.html</ref> Vella returned to the field midway through the 2005 season and was part of the Parramatta side which won the minor premiership that year.<ref>https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/eels/nathan-hindmarsh-on-parramattas-last-table-topping-team-where-his-former-teammates-are-now/news-story/fea0ebc7740f2dbbf8884bae9db77210</ref> After time out of the game, he returned to the field for the Eels in 2006 before heading to play in Europe's [[Super League]] for English club [[Hull Kingston Rovers]] where he was voted Players' Player of the Year in 2007. He also captained the club in his final year, 2011.


Vella played for the [[Parramatta Eels]] at prop forward in their [[2001 NRL grand final]] loss to the [[Newcastle Knights]].
⚫
Since his retirement, Vella has returned to Australia where he has owned a fitness business,<ref>http://hills-shire-times.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/fitness-brings-a-smile-to-former-eel/</ref> worked in a variety of roles for the [[NRL]], and is currently brand ambassador for the Parramatta Eels<ref>https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-vella-43bb4932</ref>

In 2005, the rugby league world was shocked to learn Vella was fighting thyroid cancer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2005/02/24/1109180047215.html|title=Cancer won't hold me back: Vella|date=25 February 2005}}</ref> Vella returned to the field midway through the 2005 season and was part of the Parramatta side which won the minor premiership that year. Parramatta went into the 2005 finals series as one of the favourites to take out the premiership but suffered a shock 29–0 loss against North Queensland in the preliminary final. Vella played in the match from the bench.

After time out of the game, he returned to the field for the Eels in 2006. Vella's final game for Parramatta was the 12-6 qualifying final loss against Melbourne. Vella then headed to England to play in the [[Super League]] for English club [[Hull Kingston Rovers]] where he was voted Players' Player of the Year in 2007. He also captained the club in his final year, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.parraeels.com.au/about/official-player-numbers/|title=Official Player Numbers|website=Parramatta Eels}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/eels/nathan-hindmarsh-on-parramattas-last-table-topping-team-where-his-former-teammates-are-now/news-story/fea0ebc7740f2dbbf8884bae9db77210/|title=Nathan Hindmarsh on Parramatta's last table topping team, where his former teammates are now|publisher=Fox Sports|date=13 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2015/06/07/eels-on-a-mission-against-homelessness/|title=Eels on a mission against homelessness|publisher=National Rugby League|date=6 June 2015}}</ref>

==Post playing==
⚫
Since his retirement, Vella has returned to Australia where he has owned a fitness business,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://hills-shire-times.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/fitness-brings-a-smile-to-former-eel/|title = Hills shire times &#124; Hills Shire Times &#124; Daily Telegraph}}</ref> worked in a variety of roles for the [[NRL]], and is currently brand ambassador for the Parramatta Eels<ref>https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-vella-43bb4932 {{Self-published source|date=June 2022}}</ref>
In 2016, Vella became a trainer at his junior club Cherrybrook.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/the-hills/vella-takes-local-club-through-sessions-that-made-him-a-legend-of-the-game/news-story/c2d0b4933b011442b7d1ff66d08c00e4/|title=Vella takes local club through sessions that made him a legend of the game|website=The Daily Telegraph|location=Sydney|date=12 February 2016|last1=McCallum|first1=Jake}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
* (archived by web.archive.org) [https://web.archive.org/web/19950000000000/http://www.hullkr.co.uk/club/captains Hull Kingston Rovers ~ Captains]
* (archived by web.archive.org) [https://web.archive.org/web/20150515011117/http://www.hullkr.co.uk/club/captains Hull Kingston Rovers ~ Captains]


⚫
{{2001 Kangaroo Tour squad}}
{{Australia 2000 Rugby League World Cup Squad}}
{{Australia 2000 Rugby League World Cup Squad}}
⚫
{{2001 Kangaroo Tour squad}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Vella, Michael}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vella, Michael}}
[[Category:1978 births]]
[[Category:1978 births]]
⚫
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People educated at Patrician Brothers' College, Fairfield]]
[[Category:Australian rugby league players]]
[[Category:Australian rugby league players]]
[[Category:Australian people of Maltese descent]]
[[Category:Australian people of Maltese descent]]
[[Category:Malta national rugby league team players]]
[[Category:Australian expatriate rugby league players in England]]
[[Category:Australia national rugby league team players]]
[[Category:Australia national rugby league team players]]
[[Category:Parramatta Eels players]]
[[Category:Hull Kingston Rovers captains]]
[[Category:Hull Kingston Rovers players]]
[[Category:Hull Kingston Rovers players]]
[[Category:Malta national rugby league team players]]
[[Category:New South Wales Rugby League State of Origin players]]
[[Category:New South Wales Rugby League State of Origin players]]
[[Category:Parramatta Eels players]]
[[Category:Rugby league props]]
[[Category:Rugby league props]]
⚫
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Rugby league players from Sydney]]
[[Category:Rugby league players from Sydney]]

Latest revision as of 06:43, 18 April 2024

Michael Vella
Vella in 2005
Personal information
Full nameMichael Vella
Born (1978-02-19) 19 February 1978 (age 46)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
Height191 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Weight106 kg (16 st 10 lb)[1]
PositionProp
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1998–06 Parramatta Eels 159 13 0 0 52
2007–11 Hull Kingston Rovers 121 14 0 0 56
Total 280 27 0 0 108
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1999–02 New South Wales 10 0 0 0 0
1999–01 Australia 8 0 0 0 0
Malta 0 0 0 0 0
Source: [2][3]

Michael Vella is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australian international representative forward, he played his club football in the NRL for the Parramatta Eels, and in the Super League for Hull Kingston Rovers, who he also captained. In addition to representing Australia internationally, he has played for the Malta Knights as he is of Maltese descent.

Playing career[edit]

Vella made his first grade debut for Parramatta against North Queensland in Round 11 1998 at Willows Sports Complex.

Vella was selected to play from the interchange bench for New South Wales in Game II of the 1999 State of Origin series.

At club level, Vella was selected as the Dally M rookie of the year in 1999 and played 24 games for Parramatta as the club reached the preliminary final against Melbourne. Parramatta went into the break leading 16-0 but lost the match 18–16 at full time. At the end of the season he helped the Australian national team to victory in the final of the 1999 Tri-nations tournament. After that he represented Australia during their successful 2000 World Cup campaign and the following year went on the 2001 Kangaroo Tour.[4]

Vella played for the Parramatta Eels at prop forward in their 2001 NRL grand final loss to the Newcastle Knights.

In 2005, the rugby league world was shocked to learn Vella was fighting thyroid cancer.[5] Vella returned to the field midway through the 2005 season and was part of the Parramatta side which won the minor premiership that year. Parramatta went into the 2005 finals series as one of the favourites to take out the premiership but suffered a shock 29–0 loss against North Queensland in the preliminary final. Vella played in the match from the bench.

After time out of the game, he returned to the field for the Eels in 2006. Vella's final game for Parramatta was the 12-6 qualifying final loss against Melbourne. Vella then headed to England to play in the Super League for English club Hull Kingston Rovers where he was voted Players' Player of the Year in 2007. He also captained the club in his final year, 2011.[6][7][8]

Post playing[edit]

Since his retirement, Vella has returned to Australia where he has owned a fitness business,[9] worked in a variety of roles for the NRL, and is currently brand ambassador for the Parramatta Eels[10] In 2016, Vella became a trainer at his junior club Cherrybrook.[11]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Hull KR The Official Site of the Robins". web page. Hull Kingston Rovers RLFC. Archived from the original on 14 August 2011. Retrieved 13 August 2011.
  2. ^ loverugbyleague
  3. ^ Rugby League Project
  4. ^ 2001 Ashes profile at news.bbc.co.uk
  5. ^ "Cancer won't hold me back: Vella". 25 February 2005.
  6. ^ "Official Player Numbers". Parramatta Eels.
  7. ^ "Nathan Hindmarsh on Parramatta's last table topping team, where his former teammates are now". Fox Sports. 13 March 2017.
  8. ^ "Eels on a mission against homelessness". National Rugby League. 6 June 2015.
  9. ^ "Hills shire times | Hills Shire Times | Daily Telegraph".
  10. ^ https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-vella-43bb4932 [self-published source]
  11. ^ McCallum, Jake (12 February 2016). "Vella takes local club through sessions that made him a legend of the game". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Michael_Vella&oldid=1219517962"