For every highlight-worthy goal kicked or spectacular grab taken in football, there to verify the moment through signal or whistle is an umpire.
This week focuses on recognising the game’s unsung heroes through the Community Umpiring round, facilitated by AFL Victoria with assistance from the AFL.
On Friday night, eight Goulburn Valley Football Umpires Association (GVFUA) members will be given the chance to attend the Richmond versus Geelong game at the MCG, umpiring Grid games at half-time while also walking out with AFL umpires for the pre-match coin toss.
With a band of local umpires thriving off a similar experience last year, AFL Goulburn Murray regional umpiring director Andrew Moore said this year’s event would be no exception.
“They absolutely loved it; it was the highlight of their umpiring year for some of them,” Moore said.
“To experience walking out to a full house; you’d think Richmond versus Geelong would be a pretty big crowd and just walking onto the ‘G at any time is pretty daunting.
“To potentially have 60,000 people there is just a great experience … it is a really great initiative by the AFL and AFL Victoria.”
Following on from the opportunity at the MCG, GVFUA will hear from the best in the business when hosting a night attended by AFL goal umpires Adam Wojick and Matt Dervan.
Between them, the pair has stood behind the line at six AFL grand finals, and will run a session in Shepparton from 6pm on Tuesday, May 16.
“They always provide a great perspective of what their role is and how they’ve come to achieve what they have – reaching the top level,” Moore said.
“The big thing we get from them when we’re able to access the AFL umpires is how they prepare and how they train, and how it can differ from what we do, but also how it’s very similar.
“They’re really giving with their time when they’re able to be, generally no questions are off limits and they answer truthfully.
“This year we’ll plan to do a bit of on-ground work with the goal umpires and then anyone who’s in attendance can have a chat.”
Lastly, Moore invited anyone who may be interested in becoming an umpire to contact the GVFUA to come on board.
“If anyone’s keen on umpiring, give us a call,” he said.
“Umpiring is for everyone, all three disciplines provide something different that can accommodate for any level of fitness, age or knowledge of the game, so we encourage everyone to get involved.”