News

The annual AFL umpires camp was the venue to present two prestigious association awards to two champions of umpiring.

You could not umpire in the Sunraysia Football League during the 1970’s or 80’s without knowing long time goal umpire Charlie Cook.  We all know his son, Allan, who recently won two gold medals at the world masters games and is a life member and strong supporter of the AFLUA.

It took quite some time to identify many of the early association office-bearers. Actual records only went as far back as 1938 and the period from 1909 had to be researched from letters and newspaper articles and sundry other sources. There were still a number missing and for two years there have been no gaps filled -until last week.

Ask anyone who has been around a while in AFL umpiring circles and they all nod in agreement, this has been the toughest start to any AFL season in living memory.

Recently retired AFL goal umpire Troy Mavroudis has certainly taken the notion of a “sea change” to a whole new level.

Grand final boundary umpire George Smith turned 100 years of age on 30 December. He becomes the second VFL/AFL umpire to reach the century mark.

John McNiff was an active member of the X men and the AFLUA until his untimely passing after a brief illness on Sunday December 29.

AFL boundary Adam Coote beat a quality field and the elements to win the prestigious Burnie Gift and Michael Marantelli took out the mile event at in a rain-affected carnival at West Park yesterday