The AFLUA is saddened to learn of the passing of AFLUA Hall of Fame member Gordon Muir.
Gordon was a popular and much-loved member of our umpiring community, having been appointed to the AFL panel in 1998 as a boundary umpire. In a career spanning 10 years, he umpired 204 AFL matches, including 22 finals and 4 consecutive AFL grand finals (2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005) before he retired in 2007. In 2013, in recognition of his grand final success (one grand final every 51 matches) he was elevated by the AFLUA to Grand Final Legend Status.
In 2005, the Association introduced an AFLUA All-Australian award for boundary and goal umpires. In this year, Gordon was the awarded All-Australian Boundary Umpire.
Gordon was inducted into the AFLUA Hall of Fame in 2015 and was recently awarded AFLUA Life Membership for his services to umpiring over many years.
Gordon was appointed as Victorian AFL Boundary Umpires’ Coach from 2018 to 2023, and in 2019 took on the dual role as National Boundary Umpires’ Strength and Conditioning Coach through to the end of the 2023 season.
As part of these roles Gordon also attended National Under 16 and 18 carnivals observing and providing valuable feedback to up and coming umpires who were aiming to make respective State-based lists as part of their umpiring journey.
In his coaching roles, Gordon provided a level of commitment and dedication that went well beyond his duties in providing match day and non-match day coaching, development, support and mentoring of running umpires. In his Strength and Conditioning role, much planning and preparation of the season’s fitness program was undertaken, and week to week adjustments and modifications of programs for those injured or in rehab was done.
Gordon provided this with the utmost professionalism and dedication, often planning and discussing programs with other coaches and umpires outside of normal hours. In both roles, Gordon had the best interests of the member at heart.
In more recent times he worked as VFL boundary umpire match day coach.
The AFLUA would like to pass on its condolences to family, friends and colleagues.