Leigh Haussen
Leigh Haussen has called time on his AFL career after 8 seasons on the AFL list.
Haussen made his AFL debut in Round 5, 2017, when the Western Bulldogs met Brisbane at Etihad Stadium. Five seasons later, in Round 19, 2022, he celebrated his 100th AFL game at the Sydney Cricket Ground,where Sydney played Adelaide.
Before stepping onto the national stage, Haussen forged an impressive umpiring career in South Australia, joining the SANFL ranks in 2006 and going on to umpire four consecutive SANFL Grand Finals from 2010 to 2013. His outstanding achievements were acknowledged with the SANFL’s prestigious Golden Whistle award in 2012.
Haussen’s contribution to the game was formally recognised in 2022 with AFLUA Life Membership, recognition for his many years as a consistent performer at the elite level. His 164 matches at AFL level are a testament to his dedication, while his earlier honours in South Australia underline the high regard in which he has long been held.
The AFLUA congratulates Leigh on an outstanding career and thanks him for his service to the game at every level.
Jeff Dalgleish
After 16 seasons at the elite level, Jeff Dalgleish has decided to hang up the boots.
Dalgleish’s pathway into the AFL began in Western Australia, where he started umpiring with East Fremantle Juniors and the WA Amateur Football League in 1999.
His AFL journey began in Round 5, 2009, debuting in Fremantle’s clash with Sydney at Subiaco. Across his 277 games in the number 7 shirt, his steady progression through the ranks reflected his professionalism, consistency, and ability to manage the game at the highest standard.
In his 15th season, Jeff reached the 250 game milestone in Round 14, 2024, when Richmond met Hawthorn at the MCG. His contribution and commitment to the game were also formally recognised with AFLUA Life Membership in 2018.
A highly respected figure among his peers, Dalgleish reached the pinnacle of AFL Umpiring with his appointment to the 2015 AFL Grand Final. He was also appointed to 5 other finals, further recognition of his consistent performances and teamwork across those seasons.
Jeff also finishes his umpiring career as one of Western Australian umpiring’s best, having officiated the third-most AFL games by a WANFLUA field umpire (behind Brett Rosebury and Dean Margetts). In 2022, he was named alongside his brother, Brett, in the WANFLUA Team of the Decade.
The AFLUA congratulates Jeff on an outstanding career, highlighted by his Grand Final appearance and over a decade and a half of service at the elite level. We thank him for his dedication and wish him the very best in retirement.
Brett Dalgleish
Boundary umpire Brett Dalgleish retired earlier this year, making the difficult decision to hang up the whistle following the ANZAC Day match between Fremantle and Adelaide at Optus Stadium.
Brett finished his career with 293 AFL Games. Since making his AFL debut in 2010 he has been a consistent performer, running as the 2017 & 2018 Emergency Boundary Umpire for the AFL Grand Final.
Brett’s name is etched in WA Umpiring history, having also umpired 94 WAFL League games, including 2 WAFL Grand Finals in 2008 & 2009. In 2022, he was named alongside his brother, Jeff, in the WANFLUA Team of the Decade.
The AFLUA would like to congratulate Brett on an outstanding career, and thank him for his dedication to umpiring.
Damien Cusack
Veteran boundary Damien Cusack has called time on his career after 208 AFL games.
Damien’s umpiring journey began in the VAFA in 2001. His natural ability soon saw him promoted to the VFL, where he would go on to officiate 144 games. After years of failing to progress to the AFL, Damien reconsidered his approach to umpiring. Whilst his natural fitness level had raised him to the VFL, in order to compete with the elite runners of the VFL boundary cohort, he was going to have to raise his standards if he wanted to get to the next level.
Having professionalised his training and pre-seasons, Damien earned his long-awaited promotion and at the age of 30 made his AFL debut in round one of the 2014 AFL season. Making up for some lost time, he hit the ground running in his AFL career. In his debut year he was awarded the Bill Sutton Medallion, having been recognised by his peers as the best first or second year boundary umpire.
After an excellent season, Damien earned selection to the 2017 Grand Final. Throughout his career he umpired 13 AFL Finals matches. In round eight of season 2025, he celebrated his 200 game milestone and finished at a tally of 208, which puts him in the top 10% of all time V/AFL boundary umpires.
The AFLUA congratulates Damien on his wonderful career and wishes him the best of luck in the next chapter of his life.