Round seven sees only one milestone being achieved but it is a good one! WA based boundary umpire Alan Zanich clocked up his 150th game when he took to the field in the Fremantle v. Collingwood game at Patersons Stadium on Saturday night.
Stephen McBurney has resumed his quest towards the 400 game milestone when he returned to AFL senior ranks two weeks ago. Stephen, who trained 76 days straight in the lead up to the pre – Christmas benchmark fitness test, broke down with a hamstring tear on the eve of round 1. Stephen successfully negotiated the Essendon v. GWS game at Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening. It was his 385th AFL appearance.
Milestones continue this week with boundary umpire stalwart Rob Haala clocking up his 200th game in the Carlton v. Adelaide match at the MCG. Rob commenced his career with the Southern Football League in 2001 and umpired his first AFL game in 2004. Rob, who has been Mr. Consistency on the boundary with 14 finals appearances, finally achieved the ultimate success, the 2012 AFL Grand Final.
Congratulations to AFL boundary umpire, Michael Marantelli who officiated in his 50th game on the weekend when Richmond played the Western Bulldogs. Michael was appointed to the list in 2011 from the Essendon District Football League. He was awarded the Bill Sutton Medallion in 2012 as the best first or second year boundary umpire and umpired his first final last year.
Veteran field umpire Stephen McBurney had his preseason planned to the minute and was ready for his 384th AFL match on Easter Sunday at Etihad Stadium when he strained a hamstring in the last running effort of the night at training last Thursday and was forced out of the game with injury. It is the first time in his career that he has been sidelined by a soft tissue injury.
Field umpire Matt Stevic officiated in his 200th AFL game on the weekend when Fremantle took on the West Coast Eagles at Patersons Stadium. Matt, originally a country boy from Leongatha and a product of the West Gippsland Football League, is no stranger to high intensity matches, he officiated in the 2012 Grand Final.
AFL List Finalised