Following in his father Gavin’s footsteps, Cameron ‘Dorey’ Dore is quickly rising through the umpiring ranks with two impressive years at the VFL, after a successful beginning at the Victorian Amateurs. In 2016, in his first year with the VFL, Cameron umpired the TAC Cup Grand Final and was the winner of the VFUA’s Frank Leverett Shield for best first-year umpire across all disciplines.
Becoming a rookie umpire and being part of the AFL Accelerated Development Program are career highlights for South Australian based Rookie Umpire Jamie Broadbent, who joins the rookie program in 2018.
Many umpires have started their careers on the promise of earning some pretty handy cash during their early schooling days and Sean Moylan was no different when he commenced umpiring as a field umpire with the East Fremantle District Junior Umpires in 2010. He umpired two years as a field umpire before transitioning to a boundary umpire at the WAFL where he’s been for the last six seasons. Sean has umpired in three WAFL grand finals (2015, 2016 and 2017), two state games (2016 and 2017) and was the recipient of the John Devine Medallion in both 2016 and 2017.
His disarming smile and blonde surfer looks belie the resilience and focus of the most promising first or second year field umpire, Nathan Williamson. The award is based on the rankings from the AFL Umpiring Department.
Josh hasn’t put a foot wrong in his two years on the AFL list. Recruited from the WAFL at the tender age of 19, Josh came with high expectations having umpired the 2014 and 2015 WAFL grand finals. He was also the recipient of the Devine Medal for the boundary umpire of the year in WA in 2015.
Goal umpire Luke Walker was announced as the Leigh Keen Shield winner for the fourth time on Sunday. The award is the highest that can be bestowed on a goal umpire. Luke was voted by his peers as the umpire who most typified the criteria, achieving on field success, actively contributing to and supporting the AFLUA and role modelling the attributes of commitment, loyalty and dedication.
For a man new to umpiring, Grant Williams knew many of the umpire’s at last nights first meeting. While waiting to be ushered into the coaching room, Grant greeted many well known faces that he had encountered across the breadth of his football journey.
THE AFL has found its new head of umpiring from within, promoting Grant Williams into the high-profile and high-pressure role as Peter Schwab’s replacement.
Rowan Sawers oft used quote when talking about great umpires used the phrase “the best are those who perform at a consistently high level over a long period of time.