Adam Coote has passed another milestone in a remarkable career now spanning 12 years. Adam commenced his AFL career in 2005. His 250 games include 24 finals and 5 grand finals puts him equal seventh of all time as a grand final umpire and equal 16th with Glenn Sinclair on numbers of games.
Adam might have to keep running for some time yet because six current running boundary umpires are still ahead of him. Darren Wilson (397) Mark Thomson (319), John Morris (307), Jonathon Creasey (293), Aaron Deckys (277) and Rob Haala (267).
At the other end of the scale Alistair Meldrum umpired his first AFL game as a goal umpire on the Gold Coast on Saturday. Alistair becomes the 343rd goal umpire to officiate in a VFL/AFL match.
When we caught up with Alistair he was still over the moon with his appointment. “The game moved much faster and was more predictable that anything I’ve been involved with before. Once you get into the game all you want is your first score and luckily for me I only waited about five minutes and the ball went straight over my head,” laughed Alistair
Ray Chamberlain overcame a foot injury to take his place in the Richmond v Melbourne ANZAC Day eve match at the MCG. Ray who was replaced at half time last week recovered better than expected and added much needed experience to the panel on the weekend.
Grand Final umpire, Brett Rosebury was missing from this weekends round of matches when his work took him to Los Angeles for a week. It is the first match Brett has missed for many years and certainly the first one for work related reasons.
Our Fiona McBurney Match Day Experience made history on the weekend when we took it national. Rei Kuchar was our first Sydney participant. Rei was supported by his parents and some of his friends as he proudly walked onto the SCG with our trainers, Kate Seaton and Garry Winney.
(See our video of Rei’s day on the website). A big thank you goes out to Damian Anderson and our NSW members for their efforts in supporting the day.
Eleni Glouftsis sat on the bench in her first appearance as a rookie umpire in the St. Kilda v GWS game at Etihad Stadium. Rumours surrounded the game suggesting Shane McInerney wasn’t well and would come off to give Eleni her first game as an AFL umpire.
Andrew Mitchell knows all about flying so far this season. He was appointed to a Tasmanian State league match in Hobart on Saturday and then had to have his gear cleaned and repacked ready to sit as the emergency field umpire in the ANZAC day clash at the MCG. With only three spots available in the VFL each week, field umpires who do not get appointed are travelling interstate to get a run in the NEAFL or TSL football each weekend.
Spare a thought for boundary umpire Shane Thiele, in the first five rounds of AFL football he has umpired on five separate days, Thursday through Monday! Who said the role of an AFL umpire is one based on routine and recovery.
Former AFL field umpire, Heath Ryan has returned to umpire in the VFL. Heath must be umpiring ok, we have noticed he has had the first two channel 7 televised matches. On Sunday he would’ve felt like he was back in the AFL with seasoned AFL veterans running around including Cloke, Macaffer and Crowley.