Almost every game as an umpire we receive criticism from the public about decisions, but one controversial correct decision has been a talking point since 1979. During the VFL Grand Final between Carlton and Collingwood, those present witnessed a timeless moment of football folklore. As a stray kick inside-fifty from Wayne Harmes bounced towards the boundary line, with a burst of speed Harmes set after his own kick, diving with an outstretched fist to knock the ball into the goal square just as it approached the line. The call was that the ball stayed in. Carlton’s Ken Sheldon waiting in the goal square, securing Carlton a premiership winning goal. My next ‘Where are they Now’ features Geoff Francis Willcox, who was running the boundary that day.
The moment Wayne Harmes knocks the ball back into play.
With the ball very close to the line, Geoff relied on Goal Umpire Bob Barker to help out with the decision as he was caught out by the quick movement of the ball. A new video unearthed from the archives shows
thatfrom the unique angle of the ABC telecast, the ball was in. Harmes’ answer is to Carlton supporters is that it was in, but to Collingwood supporters that it was out. The crowd of 113,545 present that day all had an opinion, regardless of where they were seated.
Geoff, who officiated in 191 VFL games including 5 Grand Finals, 17 finals and 5 unofficial night games, stated he knew it was close, but honestly couldn’t tell and was not going to guess.
Luckily goal umpire Bob Barker had the better view, who has since been vindicated and is pleased the video has now borne that out.
Born to Frank & Joyce Willcox on the 6th March, 1949 at the Royal Women’s Hospital, the family lived in Fitzroy where Geoff attended Alfred Crescent State School until 1959, before moving to Clayton where Geoff attended Clayton Primary before moving on to Syndal Technical School in 1961 to study many trades.
At the age of 15 years Geoff played football with Oakleigh Districts U.15 & U.17’s in the Federal League but transferred when too old to Oakleigh Under 19’s in the VFA. The club won the 1965 premiership with Geoff playing an important role in the victory.
1965 saw Geoff apply to the Commonwealth Public Service, working in the Civil Aviation department in a position he held for 3 years.
In 1966 Geoff decided to take on professional running under the watchful eye of coach Allan O’Connor. His first success was at the Footscray Gift where Geoff won the 400 metres.
Close calls followed Geoff not only in his umpiring but also his running career in 1969, where he made the final of the Stawell Gift off eight & three quarter yards. An extremely close finish saw Geoff run a close second to Barry McLeod who was off seven & half yards in the 1969 Stawell Gift, where it’s rumoured the result may have been different had the officials looked at the finishing machine which showed Geoff winning the race.
In the 1970 Prahran Gift, Geoff off seven and a quarter yards won the 130 metres with ease.
Early in 1970 Geoff won the prestigious Bendigo Gift 130 metres and the 400 metres Victorian and Commonwealth Championship. After the running season Des Fitzgerald, a Boundary Umpire with the VFL, suggested to Geoff that he take on Boundary Umpiring, and Geoff joined the VFL Reserve grade as a way to keep fit for his professional running.
Elevated onto the senior boundary list in 1972, Geoff’s first appointment was at the Western Oval where he was awarded Heritage number 337. Essendon 18.20 defeated Footscray 9.13 with field umpire Mike Henry in front of a crowd of 28,935.
In 1974 Geoff officiated in the ‘Bloodbath at Windy Hill’. Geoff was running the boundary on the outer side of the ground as the bell sounded for half time. Cliff Green was on the grandstand side when the players started moving off, where all of a sudden players, trainers and spectators jumped in a massive brawl. Geoff stated it was all about containment and trying to calm the situation.
1975 was a huge year for Geoff. His professional running saw him win the Herb Hedeman 1500m at Stawell with a brilliant finish to beat the favourite. Earlier in the season Geoff won the Box Hill 1600m, Sebastapol 1000m and for the second time Trentham 800m, where he ran 1.48 seconds dead off scratch, his faster time ever. In the same year, boundary umpiring saw Geoff appointed to the Grand Final between North Melbourne 19.8 d Hawthorn 9.13, with Kevin Mitchell his partner on the day. This was the last VFL game with one field umpire, with Kevin Smith having the job on the day.
1976 was the year that Geoff was appointed to a VCFL Grand Final in the Goulburn Valley at Shepparton where Seymour 16.5 d. Echuca 10.20. The week before he performed at the VFL Preliminary Final with North Melb d. Carlton by 1 point. Determined to be appointed to the Grand Final again Geoff trained extremely hard and was once again rewarded in 1978 with the Grand Final.
Geoff rates the Grand Finals as the pinnacle of his umpiring career. During 1979 and 1980 Geoff won nomination to the VFLUA Executive Committee where at the end of the year after completing 10 years on the list Geoff decided to retire awarded Life membership in 1982. His last game on the list in 1981 was the 1st semi final between Collingwood 19.19 d. Fitzroy 19.18.
1995 saw Geoff awarded Hall of Fame Status for his outstanding contribution to the VFLUA and to Australian Rules Football.
In 2000 it was time to divert his interests to other sports where Geoff joined the Bacchus Marsh West Golf Club and enjoys having many hits at the course.
Geoff was elevated to AFLUA Hall of Fame status in 2010, for his contribution and on field achievement to our great game.
Whilst Geoff managed to juggle a running and umpiring career, both complimented each other. Geoff found running was more personal, while umpiring on the other hand offered a team environment, where he enjoyed supporting each other in every game whilst still allowing for personal achievements.
Whilst working with Toyota, Geoff met his wife Robyn and today have two girls to spoil in retirement. Today Geoff and wife Robyn enjoy many holidays and visiting the family. They recently toured country NSW including Broken Hill. Happy retirement Geoff, thanks for the chat.
Graeme ‘Wizzer’ Fellows