AFLUA Heritage Number: 529
AFL matches at the end of 2023: 284
1st AFL Match: 2009
Commenced umpiring career with: VAFA – 2004
Honours in umpiring:
AFL Grand Final – 2013
AFLUA Life Member – 2018
NAB Cup Grand Final – 2010 and 2013
Murray Williams Shield – 2013
London Exhibition Match – 2012
Boundary umpire Michael Saunders retains his position alongside Chris as Vice-President on the Executive Committee in 2024.
Michael Saunders commenced umpiring at the VAFA in 2004 following a highly successful junior athletics career. After relocating to Sydney for work Saunders was promoted to the AFL in 2009, where he forged a 16-year career, umpiring 18 finals including the 2013 AFL Grand Final.
Saunders is the AFL games record holder for NSW, being the first to reach 150, 200 and 250 games in that state, and the first NSW Boundary Umpire to be appointed to an AFL Grand Final. He was awarded the Murray Williams Shield in 2013 and AFLUA Life Membership in 2018.
Saunders was a trail blazer for umpiring in Sydney and has left a lasting legacy in this state. His arrival marked a change in the culture of elite umpiring in Sydney, with his sustained excellence and success at AFL level paving the way for others who have since followed in his footsteps.
Umpiring has benefitted from Saunder’s leadership skills through his role as AFLUA Vice President, being a member of the leadership group, and his mentorship and coaching in NSW.
Outside of umpiring, Michael works as a commercial manager, with experience in sales, growth strategy, project management and performance transformation.