Three hundred games by any measure is an amazing achievement, when Aaron Deckys crossed the boundary line last Saturday afternoon he became the first Queenslander to achieve that feat. It is even more meritorious when you consider that for Aaron’s first 200 games there was only a game in Queensland every second week. Aaron umpired his first AFL game in 1998, he becomes only the 11th boundary umpire in the history of VFL/AFL football to achieve that milestone. Well done Aaron. Aaron is an evergreen and he even suggests that he is fitter now than at any other stage of his career.
Chris Donlon umpired his 250th AFL game when he officiated in the Nth Melbourne v Gold Coast Suns match. Chris umpired his first AFL match in 2005 and has 13 finals and the 2011 grand final included in those figures.
Michael Craig and Luke Edwards both chalked up their 50 game milestones on the weekend in the goals. Michael achieved his in the Nth Melbourne v Gold Coast game, while Luke had the derby in Perth.
Ian Burrows run of wretched bad luck continues. He recovers from a bout of appendicitis on the eve of the season, gets back into the AFL panel and one week later is back in the same hospital having a broken toe repaired. While out training in a local park two very excited dogs ran across his path causing him to trip and the rest they say is history. Rumour has it he rang physiotherapist Andy Stephens wanting to know if he could just straighten his toe that was at right angles to his foot. One can only imagine what Andy said?
On a much better note it was great to see veteran, Adam Coote back for his first game after recovering from Achillies surgery during the off season.
Black armbands were worn by all umpires in this weeks round in recognition of the passing of our physiotherapist, Mark Fraser’s mother, Shirley. We are thinking of Mark’s family at this time.