Where are they now?: John Robert ‘Slim’ Sutcliffe, Heritage No: 259

Aug 6, 2018 | Where Are They Now?

My next “where are they now” is an umpire who officiated in close to 500 games during his career. Born on the 22.2.1944 in Brunswick to Ralph and Joy Sutcliffe, John Sutcliffe is one of three siblings having a brother Geoff and sister Carol.  The family spent the...

Round 19 shorts: Has there been a colder or darker day for footy?

Jul 31, 2018 | News, Umpire Shorts

There is no doubt that Ballarat would’ve made some type of football history on Sunday. Played in arctic temperatures with hail, wind and rain the weather bureau said the temperature felt like minus 5 degrees.  Add that to the sub-standard lighting and the game...

Vale John Gray (Jack)

Jul 30, 2018 | News

AFLUA Life member John Gray (Jack) passed away peacefully on Monday 23rd July aged 92. Known to us JR, Jack grew up in Ascot Vale.  He played football with Essendon Stars under 18’s in the Melbourne Boys League.  They were undefeated premiers in 1943, the game was...

‘It’s so impressive’: Ump praises AFL initiative

Jul 27, 2018 | News

AFL UMPIRE Rob O’Gorman knows the importance of organ donation. Eight years ago, his mother Shauna – a sufferer of chronic asthma – was placed in the traumatic position of requiring a double lung transplant to stay alive. It was a long, gruelling process, but...

Where are they now: Noel James Rose

Jul 24, 2018 | Where Are They Now?

My next “Where are they Now” is a gentleman not many umpires would know, but to the city umpires, field, boundary & goal, Noel Rose was our umpires’room attendant at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for a number of years.  As a part-time employee with the Melbourne...