Most of us are fairly grumpy when starting work on a Monday morning but spare a thought for Matt Jenkinson who was waiting for his phone to ring for two reasons (1) was he appointed to the 2018 finals panel or (2) was his wife going into labour with their second child. Hardly a productive morning could be expected.
While all of the focus on grand final day is on the on-field officials let’s not forget that the AFL officiating “Team” also comprises its off-field team. Congratulations must go to David Flegg who will officiate in his 4th Grand final, but his first as a timekeeper.
Please see below statistics of each of the 2018 AFL Grand Final Umpires.
EXPERIENCED field umpires Brett Rosebury, Shaun Ryan and Matt Stevic have been chosen to officiate in Saturday’s AFL Grand Final between West Coast and Collingwood.
We know that the West Coast Eagles will play Collingwood in the grand final for season 2018. The only unknown is who will umpire.
The AFL has opted for experience in selecting its Preliminary Finals panel of umpires this weekend.
Photo: AFL Rookie Umpire, Sam Hunter – WA Goal Umpire of the Year
Boundary umpire, Mitch Le Fevre achieved another milestone on Saturday evening, in Tasmanian like weather conditions. Mitch would’ve felt right at home in the 7-degree temperature (windchill 3-degrees), albeit it would have been hotter on the ground. Mitch moves into rare space in umpiring terms. There are only 19 other boundary umpires who have appeared in more games than Mitch in the history of the game. Currently he stands equal with Glenn Sinclair (1998-2011). The boy from Tassie has been a finals stalwart over the past few seasons, including the 2017 grand final. Congratulations Mitch!
‘Where Are They Now’ ventures back to the early days of umpiring, where it was more common than it is today for a field umpire, once he finished his career, changed over to become a goal umpire where they would start on the Reserve Grade list in order to demonstrate their ability to be promoted to the Senior list.