Age shall not define them

Age shall not define them

In this day and age of statistics and on the eve of another finals series it might be studious to look at what history tells us about umpire selection and finals. The oft used expression attributed to British Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, “Lies, damn lies...
An explosion of talent graces the G

An explosion of talent graces the G

Give a young girl or boy the opportunity to have a kick on the MCG and they will gravitate to it like bees to a honeypot.  Add a few umpires who are after all, frustrated footballers, an ex AFL player as the umpire and 22 Down Syndrome kids and their siblings and you...
A long but well-earned journey to 50 AFL Games

A long but well-earned journey to 50 AFL Games

Having being told not to continue playing football at Mentone Grammar due to continuing shoulder problems, Courtney Lai turned his mind to waving the white flags and enjoyed it so much, that after a stint at the Southern Football League, he was promoted to the VFL and...
Mr Consistency achieves 200 games and bows out

Mr Consistency achieves 200 games and bows out

Ask Gerard what his best trait is and he fires back his answer with no fuss, “My consistency.  I have umpired 22 games every year without failure.  I was never injured and I am always putting my hand up for selection.”   That fact just cannot be disputed. ...
Chelsea Roffey – “A reflective 200th”

Chelsea Roffey – “A reflective 200th”

“I felt so relieved when the game was over, I never realised I was that tense,” admitted a normally relaxed Chelsea Roffey who umpired her 200th AFL game in the Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne game at Etihad Stadium.    Chelsea began her AFL career out...