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Field umpires, Justin Schmitt and Troy Pannell stood in front of their Melbourne colleagues before training on Thursday night and announced their retirements from AFL Football at the end of the season. Scott Jeffery spoke of Justin’s contribution to umpiring and Simon Meredith spoke of Troy’s legacy. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house – everyone rolled around the coaching room crying with laughter. It’s no laughing matter however, with the group losing over 500 games of experience.

Matt Stevic – 350 AFL games, Shaun Ryan – 300 AFL games, Tristan Symes – 150 AFL games and Chelsea Roffey floored by Oscar McDonald in the Melbourne v Sydney clash. It doesn’t get bigger than this.

There is no doubt that Ballarat would’ve made some type of football history on Sunday. Played in arctic temperatures with hail, wind and rain the weather bureau said the temperature felt like minus 5 degrees.  Add that to the sub-standard lighting and the game certainly took on a country game that needed car headlights around the perimeter of the oval turned on to allow players and coaches to see.