We welcome back Aaron Langdon to the AFL Rookie Squad after an original stint on the AFL Rookie squad back in 2015.
Aaron originally took up umpiring whilst playing AFL footy to earn some money on weekends, but upon realising he wasn’t the greatest footy player around, decided to focus on umpiring and made his NEAFL umpiring debut in 2011. He umpired in the Under 18’s National Championships 2013, the NEAFL Preliminary Final in both 2014 and 2015 before moving to Victorian and making his VFL debut in 2016. He umpired 19 VFL and 18 AFL Development League games during his time in Melbourne from 2016 to 2017. Aaron’s career highlight to date was sitting the bench at the MCG in 2015, an experience he won’t ever forget.
Since his return to Sydney, Aaron has quickly settled back in. One of the benefits and advantages of a smaller group of 6 NEAFL umpires in Sydney and two in Canberra is the extra time to do one-on-one coaching and have meaningful discussions about your umpiring performances. He also enjoys the closeness of the six-umpire group in Sydney, the fact they train and umpire a lot of games together and understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses and what makes each person tick.
Aaron is thankful for early advice he received from his late grandfather who told him to chase his dreams and work hard because nothing in life comes easy. To help him fulfil his umpiring dream, Aaron also believes Damien Anderson has played an instrumental role since he first started umpiring under 18’s football in Sydney and has mentored and coached him basically throughout his whole career.
Aaron is a keen fisherman, who tries to get out at least once a week and time and weather permits. As a rookie umpire with the possibility of sitting the bench and umpiring each weekend during the season, Aaron may have to forgo his weekly pursuit. Aaron’s other interests include cricket, travelling and NBA basketball.
After some consideration, Aaron chose Brett Rosebury as his most admired AFL umpire. “He has been in the top group of umpires for as long as l can remember, his career is full of achievements and grand finals and he demonstrates how hard work can really pay off.”
Congratulations Aaron on being appointed an AFL Rookie umpire for season 2019.
Article written by: AFLUA Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Peter Kelly