Where are they Now? Shane ‘Sprinter’ Carbines loved playing and watching football, and is a keen Geelong supporter. Unfortunately, Carbines dislocated his shoulder several times so following a major operation to fix things up Shane decided to take on umpiring by answering an advertisement in the local paper for umpires in the Northern District Football League in 1968. Shane was still at school and thought it would provide some handy pocket money, so he gave football away and stuck with umpiring. After three years with the NDFL, Shane decided to join the VFL Reserve Grade in 1971. Then in 1973 was appointed Emergency to Gary Crisp in the Under 19 2nd Semi Final Hawthorn 14.9 d. Collingwood 10.19. At the end of that year, Shane was promoted onto the VFL Senior List for season 1974 where his first appointment was in the Alberton F.L. where Yarram 12.13 d. Stony Creek 11.7. It must be mentioned that whilst on the VFLRG Shane officiated at 2 VCFL games for the Senior List, with one in Mulwala and the other at Jerilderie.
Shane was born in East Melbourne on the 11th April 1951 to Eric & Maureen Carbines. The family including 2 siblings Kieran and Bridget. They lived in North Coburg where Shane attended St Marks Fawkner for 2 years. When the family moved to West Coburg now called Moreland, Shane changed schools attending St Ambroses in Brunswick before graduating to St Bernards in Essendon. Shane matriculated and moved on to Melbourne University for 4 years gaining qualifications to become a Secondary School teacher. Shane played football for the schools he attended as well as St Ambrose in the NDFL then Essendon YCW. But that dislocation put an end to his football career. Shane also dabbled in Tennis which he claims wasn’t much good at it and now has played Lawn bowls for the past 40 years.
Joining the VFL Senior List, Shane trained at the Richmond Track under the supervision of Cliff Green, a former VFL Boundary umpire. Green played a significant role in helping Shane be promoted on to the Olympic Park elite track under the supervision of Alan Nash. After three years officiating in the VCFL on the 14th May 1977 Shane received his first Reserve Grade appointment at the M.C.G. Melbourne 17.15 d. Carlton 14.15. David Levens was Shane’s partner in the two umpire system. This same year was how he received his nickname ‘Sprinter’ as during the Pre-season Umpire’s Gift between Field and Boundary Umpires who trained at the venue, Shane off 6 metres clocked 10.03 seconds to win the final. Umpires started calling Shane ‘Sprinter’ and it stuck. Wouldn’t happen these days as a bung knee stops him from running at all.
During the 80’s whilst employed as a Secondary School teacher Shane met a lovely lady Elaine, who had migrated from Manchester England to teach at the same school. The couple started dating and married a few years later. Today they have 4 children Anthony, Nick, (Step children of Elaine, previous marriage), Hannah and Scott with 3 Grand Children – Ava, Milla & Cleo. Shane worked as a Secondary School Teacher for 24 years before he resigned becoming the primary carer for his children. As his wife pursued her career as a member of the Victorian Parliament amongst other things. Interesting to note that Shane’s Son, Anthony, is a sitting member of Victorian Parliament representing the Ivanhoe electorate and hopes to be re-elected in November this year. Later on, Shane worked for a publishing company in Geelong after moving to the area in the 90’s.
For three years Shane continued umpiring in the Reserves, in fact he had over 56 Reserve appointments to join the professional over 50 Reserve grade club. Then on the 25th April 1980, Anzac Day, Shane was appointed to his first VFL Senior game at the M.C.G. Richmond 29.25 d. Fitzroy 11.15 with Kevin Smith as his partner on the day. Shane was starting to doubt if a senior game was going to happen when one morning Umpire Coach Harry Beitzel rang Shane at breakfast time to let him know the good news. Harry had arranged for reporters from The Sun and The Age to come out to the school where Shane was teaching – definitely a Special week for Shane, that’s for sure.
After five senior games in 1980 Shane was dropped to the Reserves and umpired the Footscray v. Collingwood Reserves at Western Oval. Half way through the last quarter the ball went out of bounds and Geoff Polites (Coach/Observer) called Shane from the field and replaced him with the emergency umpire. There had been an administrative stuff up and there was only one umpire for the seniors that being Paul Serong. Polites had decided not to use the senior game emergency and had opted to use Shane instead. It was a huge day Shane who started running at 11.15 am and finished at about 4.45pm, with many thanks to Paul Serong who was a great help in the senior game. The senior emergency that Polites decided not to use was Greg Sidebottom who went on to umpire senior games. 1981 saw Shane umpire the Grand Final of the Teal Cup where Victoria 10.13 d. South Australia 9.8 at VFL Park.
Shane nominated and was elected to the Executive Committee in 1981 that being the year when the umpires withdrew their services for a better pay deal. He continued on the Executive in 1982 which just happened to be a year of fond memories as Shane was also the winner of the Bishop Shield.
During the 1981 and 1982 pre-seasons, Shane participated in the Statewide run where the VFL umpires ran around Victoria for charity. The run finished off at Moonee Valley Racecourse running down the straight just before Manikato Stakes which was the main race on the programme.
Over the next three years, Shane would receive blocks of games in the Seniors then back to the Reserves. But in 1983, he umpired almost every game in the Seniors. To the extent Shane was appointed to officiate at the VFL Reserves Grand Final partnered with Denis Rich, Essendon 19.14 d. Collingwood 15.9. Shane tells me it was a great memory because in those days it was the curtain raiser to the Senior Grand Final. It’s a great day to be on the M.C.G. in any role!
In the 1983 season during a senior game at the MCG between Richmond & Footscray, towards the end of the final quarter after having a ball up, a player stepped on the back of Shane shoe and it came off. The game was close and he didn’t stop play to retrieve his shoe, which was eventually picked up by the umpire’s trainer. Shane ran the last five minutes without the shoe, the incident made the footy replay. Boardman Peter Sheales defended the fact that he didn’t stop play. Shane was grateful for his support.
Shane decided to retire at the end of 1984, receiving his Life membership of the VFLUA. His last game in the Seniors happened to be the same as his first Fitzroy 14.14 d. Richmond 11.15 again with Kevin Smith his partner on the day. A memorable Grand Final this year was the Western Tasmania Football Association in Queenstown Tasmania where Queenstown 15.19 d. Lyell Gormanston 7.21 on the gravel surface. The last game on the list was the Hampden F.L. Grand Final Warrnambool 9.15 d. Cobden 4.5 his partner on the day was Chris Mitchell. Shane’s official tally of game were; 43 VFL games, 1 VFLRG Grand Final, 106 VFLRG games, 98 VCFL games, 11 VCFL Grand Finals, 14 VCFL Finals, 98 VCFL games including 8 Interleague games and Finals.
After retiring, Shane had many further roles including Coach of the Goulburn Valley Umpires 1985-86, Assistant Director of VFA Under Jim Chapman in 1986, Director of VFA Umpires 1987-88, General Manager Geelong Football Umpires League 1995-97, Director of Umpiring Geelong Football Umpires League 2000-2001, and Chairman of Board of Management Geelong Football Umpires League 2003-06. They awarded Shane in 2005 Life membership of the Geelong Football Umpires League for his services. Shane tells me he enjoyed helping Ian Coates where he would attend Ian’s house helping him with coaching videos. Shane’s job was to write the script for Ian’s lectures. He was an inspiration and Shane was lucky to have had that experience with Ian.
These days Shane is into Ancestry tracing his family roots, and playing Lawn Bowls whenever he can. Has travelled to Europe a couple of times, spent 4 weeks travelling around Ireland this year but considers Port Douglas his favourite holiday spot. Reads quite a bit especially crime novels and non-fiction history books. Attends the Gym twice a week in order to strengthen his knee and back, as the pain can cause him some stress.
His main interest is a good holiday with Family & Friends, but to top it all is his love of his AFL team Geelong. Never misses a game at Kardinia Park and most weekends travels wherever the Cats are playing, but not inter-state.
Outstanding career Shane, be nice to see you at Caulfield lunches one day.
Graeme ‘Wizzer’ Fellows