Jacob Mollison walked onto Manuka Oval last Sunday in his 150th AFL game confident in the knowledge that he would deal with anything that the game threw at him. After all you don’t spend more than eight years on the elite AFL panel without developing and honing those skills that spectators just take for granted.
Jacob, like many current field umpires has reduced his work hours to ensure he has an effective work life balance. “Des and I have three children now under five years of age, so providing them more of my attention has been great as well as allowing me to dedicate more time to my umpiring, such as the countless hours at training and at home reviewing, preparing and focusing on those things that you are required to do at the elite level for your games.”
Jacob is emerging as a leader within the group. His peers voted him into the leadership group, which has also made him proud. “I feel really humbled to be voted in by my peers and confident to lead our team both on and off the field now”. Jacob believes some of the managerial courses and presentation opportunities he has undertaken at work have greatly assisted his leadership qualities. “I feel I can contribute to the group, particularly by assisting and supporting our young umpires make the transition from State level to the AFL as it is a big jump.”
“I also want to get back into finals contention. We have a very strong list and to do that I am going to need to perform at a consistently high level week in and week out. Thats is my intention to take a positive mindset and intensity into every game.”
