The Queensland football scene has changed significantly since Tristan’s arrival to AFL football. He was first appointed to the AFL panel in 2007. At first, it was tough going to get a game with four goal umpires based in Queensland and Brisbane Lions the only AFL team in town. In his first year, Tristan only umpired 4 AFL games.
Field umpire Jacob Mollison had to travel 16,100 kilometres (return trip) to reach his 200 game milestone. Further than any other person in the history of the game has had to travel to achieve it. “It was a great experience, we had an awesome crew, all we had to do was turn up at the designated time and everything was taken care of,” reflected Jacob as he spoke about his trip to China for his 200th AFL game.
Damien Cusack recently officiated in his 100thAFL game at the Melbourne v Collingwood game at the MCG. It only seems like yesterday that Damien arrived on the AFL scene.
Rob Findlay returned to the ground where his career started this weekend, when he officiated in his 200thAFL match between Melbourne and Collingwood in the Queen’s Birthday classic at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in front of a huge crowd. Sitting in the crowd were his proud parents, wife and three children, all cheering for #23!
For Matt, it only seems like yesterday that he walked into his first AFL training session alongside Chris Esler and Matt Jenkinson but last Saturday Matt Tomkins officiated his 150thAFL game.
When Michael stepped onto Spotless Stadium last Saturday he did so with little fan fare and even less recognition of the milestone that has taken him 9 years and 45 days to achieve, 200 AFL games. Michael becomes the 137th umpire to achieve the feat and only the 47th boundary umpire in the games history to come this far. However, what is even more remarkable is that Michael becomes only the 8th boundary umpire from interstate to reach the 200 game milestone.
Congratulations to Adam Wojcik on umpiring his 200thgame at the Carlton v Essendon match on Saturday 12 May. In so doing, Adam became the 138thVFL/AFL umpire and 41stgoal umpire to officiate 200 games. He also became the fastest VFL/AFL goal umpire to reach this milestone – 10 years 22 days, replacing Bob Barker who achieved the same milestone in 10 years 141 days.
Field Umpire, David Harris achieved his 100th AFL game milestone in the game between Adelaide and Carlton at Adelaide Oval on 5 May 2018.
Justin Schmitt becomes the 13th umpire in the history of the game to umpire 350 games this weekend when he takes the field in the Adelaide v Geelong Preliminary Final. Justin just keeps getting better with age. During the middle phase of his career that commenced in 1997 Justin was beset with back, hamstring and shoulder injuries that would have sounded the death knell to any other person. His single minded focus and resilience is unshakable. He probably missed the better part of 50 games over those three seasons.