Congratulations to boundary umpire Michael Marantelli, who reached his 300th career AFL match in Round 16.
For this milestone game, Michael ran the boundary at the iconic MCG in front of 66,300-odd fans, as Carlton ran past the winning post against Hawthorn.
While reaching the landmark umpiring moment, Michael became the 57th umpire to officiate in 300 VFL/AFL matches (18th boundary umpire). He has achieved this milestone faster than any other umpire, in 12 years 97 days, eclipsing field umpire Matt Stevic’s run of 12 years 145 days.
Michael Marantelli during the 2019 AFL round 09 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Hawthorn Hawks at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)
Michael’s introduction to the AFL top-flight umpiring arrived in 2011, as he debuted in Round 1 (Melbourne v Sydney). Since then, he has built an impressive resume of umpiring accolades, thanks to his consistency and athletic running prowess.
Michael has six AFL Grand Finals (2013, 2016, 2018, and 2020-2022) and one All-Australian Umpire award (2021) to his credit, and became the 98th Grand Final boundary umpire to debut, when he officiated in his maiden Grand Final in 2013 – just two years after his first AFL outing.
Michael further went on to claim the Bill Sutton Medallion in 2012 as the Best First- or Second-year Umpire (boundary), and was recognised as the Boundary Umpire of the Year (Murray Williams Shield) in 2020 and 2021.
Michael had started his umpiring journey with the Essendon District Football League in 2003.
As a supporter of the boundary umpiring group and the Association, Michael brought his experience to the fore when he served on the AFLUA Executive Committee in 2020 and 2021 as the Boundary Umpire Representative. He was awarded Life Membership of the AFL Umpires’ Association in 2020.
Well done, Michael, on reaching another significant career milestone.
Featured image – Michael Marantelli during the 2023 AFL Round 16 match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Carlton Blues at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)