Being appointed to the AFL boundary list with six AFL games under his belt is not the normal pathway for an umpire being appointed to the AFL, however Damien Main has that record, having been called up from the VFL in 2017 to cover injuries on the AFL boundary list.
Damien started his umpiring career with the Eastern Football League in 2008 and finished in 2012 with the Division One grand final, before being promoted to the VFL. He umpired 59 VFL, 9 AFL Development and 10 TAC Cup games from 2013-2017, highlights being two VFL grand finals in 2016 and 2017, the State League game in 2017 and the Under 18s championships in 2016.
Damien’s career highlights, in addition to his two VFL grand finals and first AFL match, was his game between the Western Bulldogs and Essendon at a packed Etihad Stadium as memorable given the noise and intensity of the game.
Nicknamed ‘Damo’ or ‘The Weapon’, Damien is someone who is very competitive, always setting out to do the best at whatever he does. He believes his composure under pressure in his best attribute as an umpire and he counts Matthew Vitiritti, former VFL Boundary Coach as the most influential person on his career to date. “Vitta believed in me from the start and helped me reach my full potential.”
Whilst Damien has no pre-game rituals, before a game he enjoys a sandwich with banana, saltanas, honey and cinnamon. He also enjoys Hunky Dory because they do amazing sweet potato cakes.
Damien is an auditor with Grant Thornton and enjoys swimming, snowboarding, hiking and playing video games.
Welcome back Damien and we wish you all the best for the season ahead.
Article written by: AFLUA Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Peter Kelly