Well finally the big day arrived. The build up had been like grand final week, with speeches by his peers at training, an AFL presser, and multiple appearances on ‘media street’ courtesy of SEN’s The Run Home, Fox Footy’s AFL 360 and MMM’s Hot Breakfast . The only thing missing was a ride in the back of Toyota Hilux in front of 100,000 people through the streets of Melbourne.
“Jack” as he is affectionally known by his mates, stood proud today as the AFL recognised the feat of one of its best officials as he reaches 400 AFL games this Saturday. He then announced that he was hanging up his whistle at the end of the season.
Two goal umpiring stalwarts received their retirement caricatures and Pete Nastasi received his life membership in a small but classy dinner in Carlton on Monday night with most Melbourne based goal umpires in attendance.
ABUSE of umpires remains a stain on the game but AFL umpiring great Darren Goldspink is helping give young whistleblowers an “edge” in resilience and coping strategies.
AFL Boundary umpire, Darren Wilson just keeps racking up the milestones. Darren umpired his 350th AFL game in the 35th and closest SA derby. Darren’s total includes 47 finals and 12 grand finals.
The funeral for Ray Sleeth will be held at Le Pine chapel, 1048 Whitehorse Road (cnr Linsley St) Box Hill, on Thursday August 8 at 2:30pm.
The partners of our Melbourne based AFL umpires came together for a night out. The Precinct Hotel in Richmond was definitely the place to be on a typical cold Melbourne night beside a cosy warm fire.
It is not very often that you come across a man in this day and age who is simply prepared to let his performances do the talking. However, for the past 10 seasons that is exactly what the gentle giant, Justin Bennison has done. He seeks feedback from his coaches, works hard on the training track and then gets the best out of himself in games. Otherwise you just don’t hear too much from him.
AFLUA life member Don Cooke has taken 44 years to accomplish the feat, last weekend he participated in his 1000th game of AFL football as a player or umpire. Don’s 1000th was memorable in that he played in the back pocket for the Coburg super rules over-47 team on Sunday morning and then went straight to his 1001st game in the afternoon umpiring in the Essendon District Football League (EDFL) juniors, mentoring young umpires along the way.