On Monday night the AFLUA hosted the Hall of Fame induction dinner for the thirteenth ballot. The induction of thirteen new members to the Hall of Fame was celebrated, as well as the elevation of David Flegg AM to Legend Status.
Induction into the Hall of Fame is an honour bestowed upon those who have made a lasting and significant contribution to the AFLUA, and to umpiring the game of Australian Football.
Criteria for induction is based on Association loyalty, commitment and support displayed by Association membership in every eligible year. This is alongside outstanding service to the Association or outstanding on field achievement in umpiring, or a combination of significant service and on-field achievement.
This year, the criteria has been adjusted to recognise the achievements of umpires who have made significant contributions to umpiring State League football, prior to the nationalisation of the AFL competition.
This provision allowed for WA umpiring great Ross Capes, and Queensland Umpire of the Century, the late Tom McArthur to be inducted as members.
Additionally, the criteria have been expanded to recognise exemplary service to AFL umpiring through coaching, mentoring or other activities that contribute to umpire development over a sustained period (10 years plus).
This allowed Rod Davies, Neville Nash, and John Morgan to be inducted as members.
To reflect the expansion of the AFLUA Hall of Fame, it will become the AFLUA Umpiring Hall of Fame. AFLUA CEO Rob Kerr said he sees it becoming “the pre-eminent body for the recognition of Australian Rules umpires and their contribution to the game across the nation.”
The inductees of the thirteenth ballot were:
Rod Davies – Combination of significant service to the Association and significant support for umpiring
Aaron Deckys – Combination of significant service to the Association and significant on-field achievement in umpiring
Scott Jeffrey – Outstanding service to the Association
Chris Kamolins – Outstanding service to the Association
Shane McInerney – Outstanding on-field achievement in umpiring
John Morgan – Combination of significant service to the Association and significant support for umpiring
Neville Nash – Combination of significant service to the Association and significant support for umpiring
Troy Pannell – Combination of significant service to the Association and significant on-field achievement in Umpring
Shaun Ryan – Outstanding on-field achievement in umpiring
Justin Schmitt – Outstanding on-field achievement in umpiring
Micheal Vozzo – Outstanding on-field achievement in umpiring
Ross Capes – Combinations of significant service to the Western Australian National Football League Umpires Association and significant on-field achievement in umpiring in Western Australia
Tom McArthur – Combination of significant service to the Queensland Australian Football League Umpires Association and significant on-field achievement in umpiring in Queensland
Elevation to Legend Status
David Flegg AM – Exemplary service to the Association over an extended period
Master of Ceremonies Brad McEwan sat inductees down for interviews and, apart from when Troy Pannell went slightly rouge, guided them to share some of the highs, lows and funniest moments from their careers.
Rod Davies reminisced on the time he reported Brian Taylor for striking his opponent pre-game at Victoria Park. An unusual act for a goal umpire, Davies inadvertently sent the Collingwood cheer squad into a frenzy.
“I had to get a police escort to my car.”
John Morgan told the story of reporting Essendon’s ‘Fabulous’ Phil Carmen for headbutting boundary umpire Graham Carbery.
“It’s the only thing I’m famous for… for the headbutt he got 16 weeks.”
Hearing from umpires across the eras revealed the depth of experience and commitment of these men to the game. Behind every demonstration of brilliance, every moment of football folklore, every game deciding goal, or act of courage and determination, is an umpire, dutifully adjudicating the game that they love.
The dedication of umpires to the game is extraordinary. At 74 years old, Neville Nash sheepishly admitted his soreness having umpired a game of junior football on the weekend. Nash’s confession captured the essence of every great umpire. The driving force, the motivation behind the countless hours of training, the willingness take criticism, to perform an often-thankless task, the commitment to fairness and impartiality, is a deep-seated and undying love for Australian Football.
Congratulations to the new members of the AFLUA Umpiring Hall of Fame. Thanks to everyone who attended and contributed to such a special night for umpiring.
Article by Jackson Kerr