Jack Ginnivan’s exaction of sweet revenge on his former side stole the show during Saturday’s game between Hawthorn and Collingwood at the MCG. Yet, beyond the one-field drama, one of the AFL’s most successful current boundary umpires recorded his 300th game at the venue he’s loved since childhood.
Matthew Tomkins, who made his AFL debut in 2012, is the second fastest to reach the 300 game milestone, just behind Matt Stevic. He credits his average of 23 games per year to an assiduous approach to his work.
“For me it’s always been about the 1%’s. Every week at training whether I want to or not, I jump in the ice bath to get myself right.”
Backtrack 12 years, 3 months and 20 days, and Tomkins’ AFL career began in the most exciting way possible.
Tomkins’ debut game “was a blur.” The round one clash between North Melbourne and Essendon at Etihad Stadium went down to the wire. North Melbourne, storming back from a 32-point deficit at three quarter time surged the ball inside-50 to Hamish McIntosh with 14 seconds remaining. Essendon, 104, led by 3 points. McIntosh’s kick after the siren kick drifted right of the goals and Essendon clung on to victory.
Since its energetic beginning Tomkins’ career has hardly slowed down. In his second season Tomkins claimed the Bill Sutton Medallion for the best first- or second-year boundary umpire. That same year he was named as emergency for the Grand Final.
Having fallen just short of umpiring’s most prized achievement, in 2014 Tomkins would go all the way, earning selection for the 2014 Grand Final. He has since gone on to umpire another four Grand Finals: 2015, 2019, 2020 and 2023.
Tomkins’ 2019 and 2020 Grand Finals were paired with All-Australian blazers in each of those years, appropriately crowning two exceptional seasons.
He notes that his most recent Grand Final – last year – was one of his most memorable experiences, not just because of the nail-biting game.
“[I shared] grand final week with my daughter. Getting to take her as part of the parade was something I’ll forever be grateful for.”
Unlike field umpires, and perhaps even more than goal umpires, the boundaries’ tend to say out of the spotlight. However, Tomkins was – rather forcefully – thrust into the media spotlight in round nineteen last year when a celebrating Jeremy Cameron barrelled into him.
As is typical, the bizarre moment sparked a near-frenzy in the media, and is still reflected upon today.
Like most umpires, Tomkins’ accepts that “trying to get the work life balance right” is the most difficult part of the job.
“Early on in my career I really struggled with the juggling act. It’s something I’ve spent a great deal of time working on and still don’t think I’ve quite perfected. For me a big part is making time for family and friends to do something away from footy, e.g. [a] trip down to the beach or a round of golf.”
Tomkins’ humble message to aspiring umpires focuses not on the technical or physical, but rather the mental and social.
“Enjoy what you do. It’s often a thankless role but finding enjoyment in the game and forming those close relationships with your peers will help you in the long run.”
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Article by Jackson Kerr