News

Our next “Where are they now?” is a guy that has tried everything with some success. Neil McLean has been a footballer, cricketer, field umpire, goal umpire, Goal Umpires’ Coach and Observer, Tribunal member & Co-Chairman of the Diamond Valley Football League. Neil was also one of the first members of the video score replay team at AFL matches and was recently appointed captain of the Team of the Decade 1978-1988 at the Bundoora United Cricket Club.

As Craig so eloquently put it, his journey with the AFL has been a pretty wild one with some amazing highs and significant lows.  From making the list after 26 state league games, injuries, overseas study trips, delisting, returning to the AFL list, finals panel selection, a lot has happened in the last six years.  The one thing that remains with every one of Craig’s 100 games is the thrill of living out the dream of umpiring AFL football.

Tim made his debut as an AFL umpire in round 5 of the 2014 AFL season and recently reached his 100thAFL game when he umpired the Richmond v Carlton game in round one.

The final list announcements were made in the lead up to the AFLW grand final. VFL umpire and contracted Rookie field umpire, Andrew Heffernan was offered the 34th and last spot on the list as a contracted field umpire for 2019.

AFL field umpire, Ray Chamberlain received one of the most prestigious accolades the AFL bestows, life membership at the 2019 season launch at the Melbourne Town Hall in March.

Congratulations to AFL listed umpire Andrew Heffernan, VFL umpire Nathan Toner and Canberra based umpire Nick McGuiness who officiated as the field umpires in the AFLW Grand Final between Adelaide and Carlton. Jamie Broadbent from SA sat as the emergency field umpire.

I completed work experience with the AFLUA from Monday 15 – Thursday 18 April 2019 and during this time I have been working on tasks around the office including being able to attend AFL umpire training which took place on Tuesday afternoon at Ikon park.