Michael Vella

{{Infobox rugby league biography |name = Michael Vella |fullname = |nickname = |image = Michael Vella (23 April 2005).jpg |image_size = 200px |caption = Vella in 2005 |position = Front Row |birth_date = (1978-02-19) 19 February 1978 |birth_place = Sydney, New South Wales, [[Australia |retired = yes |height = 191 cm (6 ft 3 in) |weight = 106 kg (16 st 10 lb) |club1 = Parramatta Eels |year1start = 1998 |year1end = 2006 |appearances1 = 159 |tries1 = 13 |goals1 = 0 |fieldgoals1 = 0 |points1 = 52 |club2 = Hull KR |year2start = 2007 |year2end = 2011 |appearances2 = 121 |tries2 = 14 |goals2 = 0 |fieldgoals2 = 0 |points2 = 56 |teamA = New South Wales |yearAstart = 1999 |yearAend = 2002 |appearancesA = 10 |triesA = 0 |goalsA = 0 |fieldgoalsA = 0 |pointsA = 0 |teamB = Malta |yearBstart = |yearBend = |appearancesB = |triesB = |goalsB = |fieldgoalsB = |pointsB = |teamC = Australia |yearCstart = 1999 |yearCend = 2001 |appearancesC = 11 |triesC = 0 |goalsC = 0 |fieldgoalsC = 0 |pointsC = 0 |updated = 23 January 2010 |source = |new = yes }} Michael Vella is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of 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 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.

Vella was selected to play from the interchange bench for New South Wales in Game II of the 1999 State of Origin series. At the end of the season he helped the Australian national team to victory in the final of the 1999 Tri-nations tournament.

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 World Cup campaign and the following year went on the 2001 Kangaroo Tour.

In 2006 Vella left Parramatta 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 returned to Australia, and is currently working as a Personal Trainer at Fitness First, Castle Hill.

Super League Tries

Scores and results list Mick's try tally first.

Date	Venue	Opponent	Result	Tournament	Scored
15 September 2007	Craven Park,	Huddersfield Giants	25–24	Super League	1
9 March 2008	Belle Vue	Wakefield Trinity Wildcats	22–20	Super League	1
6 June 2008	Knowsley Road,	St Helens	52–10	Super League	1
21 June 2008	Craven Park	Wakefield Trinity Wildcats	18–26	Super League	1
6 July 2008	The Jungle	Castleford Tigers	18–10	Super League	1
1 August 2008	Craven Park	Catalans Dragons	30–16	Super League	1
24 August 2008	Odsal,	Bradford Bulls	42–18	Super League	2
7 September 2008	Craven Park	Hull	36–8	Super League	1
3 May 2009	Murrayfield Stadium,	Warrington Wolves	28–36	Super League	1
28 June 2009	Craven Park,	Wigan Warriors	26–38	Super League	1
9 April 2011	Craven Park	Leeds Rhinos	38-28	Super League	1