Congratulations to retired field umpire Ian Robinson, who was inducted into the AFL Premiership Players’ Club at their Annual Stamp Launch on the 17th of November 2022.
This prestigious award is presented to a total of 20 each year, consisting of players, coaches, umpires, and presidents of clubs who played in, or were involved in, a premiership win.
Ian’s umpiring honour roll speaks volumes, as he held the VFL record games umpired for field umpires and Grand Final appearances in the modern era at the time of his retirement.
Taking the reins in 353 VFL matches between 1971 and 1987, Ian had umpired under both the one- and the two-umpire systems during his career. He umpired in 35 finals, including nine VFL Grand Finals between 1973 and 1987.
Ian etched his name into the Bishop Shield winner’s list in 1987 and was inducted into both the AFLUA (8th ballot, 1981-1990) and the AFL Halls of Fame for his services to umpiring. He was made an AFLUA Life Member in 1979.
Off the field, Ian served as the AFLUA Vice-president (1986) and the AFLUA President a year later. He was presented with his AFLUA Lifetime Achievement award in 1988 and was included in the AFLUA Umpires’ ‘Team of the Century’ in recognition of his stellar career as a whistle blower.
Congratulations Ian, on another fantastic achievement.