The AFLUA congratulates Life Member Grant Vernon on his appointment to the West Coast Eagles Football Club Board of Directors.
In a club statement released on Monday 22 June, West Coast announced that Vernon and 2006 Premiership player Beau Waters would be board members effective 1 July 2026. It is great news for umpiring that whilst umpiring isn’t the specific reason for his selection, Grant’s umpiring background was respected together with his professional experience.
Vernon, who is a WANFLUA Life Member and WA Football Hall of Fame member, umpired 203 VFL/AFL matches from 1987 to 1998.
A precocious young umpire, Vernon joined the WAFL umpiring panel while still a teen, debuting at Perth Oval in 1985. In just his second year, Vernon earned appointment to his first final.
By 1987 the expanding VFL competition welcomed the introduction of the West Coast Eagles and Brisbane Bears but faced growing pressure on an umpiring list based entirely in Victoria. To accommodate for increasing demands, VFL House decided that umpires from all state leagues should be considered for selection for VFL games.
The decision opened the door for a young Vernon to make the jump to the VFL, the most prominent Australian rules football competition in the country.
Despite being the youngest and least experienced state-league umpire considered for a VFL spot, Vernon impressed selectors and was given the nod for the 1987 season.
Vernon made his VFL debut on 8 June 1987 at Princes Park, umpiring the round 11 clash between Fitzroy and Richmond in front of a crowd of 12,000. On that day he became the first non-Victorian umpire to officiate in the expanded VFL competition.
As the VFL continued to expand, eventually professionalising and becoming the AFL, Vernon became a stalwart of the umpiring list. A committed Association member, he was the first non-Victorian umpire to be elevated to a senior position within the AFLUA. In 1995 Vernon took on the Presidency of the AFLUA – a role familiar to him, as he had served as WANFLUA President in 1993.
In 1998 after 203 VFL/AFL games, including 10 finals and appointment as emergency field umpire to the 1996 Grand Final, Vernon decided to retire from umpiring. His outstanding contribution to WA football was recognised with elevation to the WA Football Hall of Fame in 2012. He continues to give his time to umpiring, currently serving as Chair of the WA State Umpiring Advisory Group.
A chartered accountant, beyond umpiring Vernon has had a successful career in business, holding senior leadership positions including chairing the advisory board for the Mazur Family Group, COO of Andrew and Nicola Forrest’s Minderoo Group, and CEO of international franchising operator Snap Franchising. He is also a director and founding partner of WilliamGrant Financial Consultants.
The AFLUA congratulates Grant on his new role with the West Coast Eagles and wishes him luck moving forward.