With the conclusion of another AFL season, we say goodbye to a number of umpires from across the disciplines. This year eight umpires: two field, two boundary, and four goal, will depart the list, each having played a vital role in the game of Australian Rules Football.
With an incredible 1,807 AFL/AFLW games of experience between them, we thank the following umpires for their contribution to our game and congratulate them on their decorated careers.
Field
Mathew Nicholls
Mathew Nicholls has decided to hang up the boots after officiating a sensational 458 games. As Mat’s career comes to a close, he departs with the sixth greatest number of games field umpired ever – an incredible achievement. Mat’s umpiring journey began in the Diamond Valley Football League in 1992. His AFL debut would arrive in 2003, in a clash between St. Kilda and Adelaide.
Years of consistency and dedication were recognised with his appointment to back-to-back Grand Finals in 2013 and 2014, as well as being awarded an All-Australian blazer for his performance in the 2013 season. His contribution to our game also extends to the AFLW, with Mat officiating four AFLW games across his career.
The AFLUA would like to congratulate Mat on a phenomenal career and thank him for being an amazing ambassador for umpiring over the years.
Paul Rebeschini
Paul made the transition from playing football to field umpiring when he joined the Southern Umpires’ Association in 2015, however his interest in umpiring can be traced back to his time goal umpiring for pocket money at age 15. Joining the VFL Development Squad in 2016, Paul’s rapid progression through the ranks was testament to his work ethic and passion for the craft. He umpired his first VFL game in 2017 and was swiftly selected to officiate both the 2018 and 2019 VFL Grand Finals.
Paul was appointed as an AFL Rookie for the 2019 season and rounds out his career with a total of 98 AFL and 18 AFLW games. Beyond his achievements in Australia, Paul has also contributed to the growth of the AFL overseas, volunteering to umpire matches at the 2025 Asian Championships in Thailand.
The AFLUA congratulates Paul on an incredible career and his contributions to the umpiring community.
Boundary
David Wood
David’s passion for umpiring was sparked through the All Saints Anglican School Umpiring Program. He started out as a field umpire in the AFL Gold Coast Juniors for one season in 2006, before making the transition to boundary umpiring. David’s umpiring journey was put on hold as he moved to Darwin to join the Army in 2011. He recommenced boundary umpiring in the Sydney Premier Division in 2017, making his NEAFL debut in the same year.
David had an outstanding season in 2018, making his AFLW debut, umpiring his first NEAFL Grand Final and being selected as the NSW/ACT NEAFL Boundary Umpire of the year. David officiated his first AFL Game in 2020 when Sydney took on Essendon, walking out on the field before the strange sight of empty stands amidst the pandemic. David was also the recipient of the Bill Sutton Medallion in 2021 as the most promising boundary umpire of the season.
The AFLUA congratulates David on his career and wishes him the best for his future endeavours.
Adam Coote
After 21 years at the elite level, Adam Coote has called time on his outstanding career. Adam rounds out his career with an incredible 450 games officiated, making him the second most prolific AFL boundary umpire in history. He finished on a high, reaching the 450-game milestone in the final game of his career. Adam’s umpiring journey began in the Colac and District Umpires Association in 1997, and his ensuing career has been filled with an array of accolades. He received All-Australian blazers in 2008 and 2009, the Murray Williams Shield in 2012 and the Bill Sutton Medallion in 2006.
Adam has performed on the biggest stages time and time again, officiating an incredible 31 finals and five Grand Finals (including the 2010 Grand Final replay when Adam returned to the MCG a week later to do it all again). We also thank Adam for his contribution to the AFLUA over the years. Adam was on the Executive Committee as the boundary umpire representative in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and was bestowed with AFLUA Life Membership in 2014.
The AFLUA congratulates Adam on his amazing achievements and contribution to the umpiring community.
Goal
Brett Rogers
Brett is Western Australia’s most prolific goal umpire. He surpassed his coach and mentor David Shawcross’ record of 353 WAFL/AFL games in 2025, now finishing with a total of 377 WAFL/AFL games. Brett’s umpiring journey began in 1998 with the Swan Districts Junior Umpiring Association. He joined the WAFL list in 2003 and was soon selected to officiate in three consecutive WAFL grand finals in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Brett was also awarded the Carter Medal for WANFLUA goal umpire of the year in 2008 and 2009.
His consistent performance was recognised with his addition to the AFL list in 2009, and he made his AFL debut in a clash between West Coast and Collingwood that year. Brett is a life member of both the WANFLUA and AFLUA, and his commitment to growing the next generation of young goal umpires does not go unnoticed.
The AFLUA congratulates Brett on his brilliant career and wishes him all the best for the future.
Peter Challen
Peter Challen has rounded out his goal umpiring career with an incredible 200 games. He reached the 200-game milestone in Round 24 this year in a clash between Adelaide and GWS. Peter has not only reached this milestone in the AFL, but also in the SANFL. He was bestowed with SANFL Umpiring Life Membership in 2021 after reaching the prestigious 200 in the SANFL. Peter joined the AFL list in 2007 after a superb SANFL season, where he officiated the 2006 Grand Final and won the Goal Umpire Award.
He umpired at AFL level until 2010, before heading back to the SANFL, where he went on to officiate a further three Grand Finals (2011, 2014, 2015). Since his return to the AFL in 2016, Peter has been a consistent, high performer in the goal umpiring ranks and his success in both leagues has been great to witness.
The AFLUA congratulates Peter on his career and wishes him the best for the future.
Callum Leonard
Callum Leonard finishes up after an excellent goal umpiring career across the VFL, AFLW and AFL. Callum started goal umpiring with the Ballarat Football Umpires’ Association in 2005. He umpired the 2008, 2009 and 2010 grand finals before progressing to the VFL in 2011. Callum’s consistent performance earned him consecutive VFL Grand Finals in 2018 and 2019, and the 2019 VFL Goal Umpire of the Year award. He was also selected to officiate the 2019 AFLW Grand Final, with Adelaide taking on Carlton.
Callum had a very interesting AFL debut after joining as a Rookie umpire in July, 2021. In Round 20 that year, he received a call from Goal Umpires’ Coach Chris Appleton informing Callum that he would be flying to Launceston the next morning to umpire Hawthorn v Brisbane in his first ever AFL game. After earning his debut in this quick turnaround at York Park, Callum was promoted to the AFL list for the 2022 season.
The AFLUA congratulates Callum on his amazing contributions to goal umpiring and wishes him luck for the future.
Jason Yazdani
Jason started goal umpiring in the Perth Football League (PFL) in 2014, and his excellence was swiftly recognised as his journey progressed. Jason was named as the PFL Goal Umpire of the Year in 2015 and joined the WAFL the very next year, taking home the 2016 Rising Star. Jason went on to join the AFLW ranks in 2018, debuting in a Round 2 clash between Fremantle and Collingwood at Perth Stadium. His selection for the AFLW Grand Final that year demonstrated his hard work and commitment.
Jason’s continued good form led to his AFL debut in Round 9, 2022, when West Coast took on Melbourne at Perth Stadium. He reached an exciting milestone in Round 10 this year, hitting 50 AFL games.
The AFLUA thanks Jason for his contribution to the AFL and AFLW and wishes him luck for the next chapter.
Article by Eloise Sexton