Boundary umpire, Chris Esler umpired his 100th AFL game on Friday night in the North Melbourne v Collingwood clash at Etihad Stadium. After looking at the appointments in some detail I smiled when I saw the other boundary umpires listed. The other three boys all came onto the AFL list in 2011 or 2012, Morrison (2011) Tomkins and Jenkinson (2012) have all umpired around the 100 games and two of the four come from the Western Region Football League. The four boys are extremely competitive and have formed a close bond through their time on the list. Chris becomes the 133rd boundary umpire in the history of the game to umpire 100 games. (See the website later in the week for more on Chris)
While on records, congratulations to John Morris who has now moved into equal 4th on the all time list of boundary umpires with Murray Williams on 320 games.
It was good to see Brett Rosebury back last weekend. It was very strange however, to see him running in a VFL game at Ikon Park. I’m sure he will be back in the AFL ranks sooner rather than later.
WA boundary umpire, Callum Brown is back on the track after having a knee reconstruction last October. Callum is very keen to resume his AFL career and is hoping to be considered again for a place on the list in 2017.
Our FM MDE participant this week was Beccy Phillips from Adelaide. She lit up the room on Sunday at the Port Adelaide v GWS game when, accompanied by her family and friends she got to meet her favourite player, Justin Westhoff in the rooms before the game. (See her photos on the website)
Congratulations to Simon Meredith and Robert Findlay who have just completed their 30 game streaks without a break in the home and away rounds.