Umpire of the Year Dean Armstrong will take control of his first Chisholm MPNFL Division One Grand Final when Sorrento and Dromana collide in the huge senior clash at Frankston Park on Sunday.

Armstrong joins Rick Taig and Tyson Venn as field umpires for the showcase game of the year, with Taig and Venn returning to the big stage after officiating in last year’s epic grand final between Pines and Sorrento.

All three umpires have a wealth of senior experience and will be complemented by Emergency Umpire Josh Shields, who returns to Frankston Park after taking charge of the division two decider between Red Hill and Karingal last week.

Armstrong’s nervous energy will be matched by that of boundary umpires Wade Anderson, Zane Whitelaw and Jack Buller – who will also preside over their first division one grand finals.

Emma Young – the first female to goal umpire a division one grand final in 2014 – will wave the flags in her fourth big dance while James Richardson will stand at the opposite end of the ground for his ninth appearance.

Umpires appointments were announced as part of the annual SUA Grand Final Appointments Night on Wednesday, September 4. The night included a special guest in Susan Alberti who shared her life story, including the support she has provided Women’s football and medical research.

Division One Grand Final Umpires from left; Rick Taig, Dean Armstrong, Tyson Venn, Wade Anderson and Zane Whitelaw.

Umpiring this year’s MPNFL Division One Grand Final will be from left; Jack Buller, Emma Young, James Richardson and Josh Shields.

UMPIRE APPOINTMENTS – MPNFL DIVISION ONE GRAND FINALS

SENIORS

FIELD                    Rick Taig, Dean Armstrong, Tyson Venn

BOUNDARY         Wade Anderson, Zane Whitelaw, Jack Buller

GOAL                    Emma Young, James Richardson

EMERGENCY       Josh Shields

RESERVES

FIELD                    James O’Hagan, Cooper Marriott, Tylan Mehmed

BOUNDARY         Jordan Nicholls, Zac Gunn-Cameron, Kaih Mitchell

GOAL                    Scott Gathercole, Glenn Davey

UNDER 19s

FIELD                    James Carver, Benjamin Petrie, Jackson Hannah

BOUNDARY         Mitchell Hansen, Harley Storen, Xavier Willis

GOAL                    Laura Brogan, Jacob Brackman

 

And congratulations go out to all umpires that officiated in division two grand finals at Frankston Park on Saturday, September 7.

Field Umpires Rohan David, Josh Shields and Benjamin Dickson took control of the main game and did a fantastic job in keeping a low-scoring contest flowing.

The umpire appointments for the division two grand finals were as follows.

Division Two Grand Final Umpires from left; Cooper Marriot, Andrew McDonald, Steven Bonfadini, Rohan David, Josh Shields, Ben Dickson, Ryan Brown, Ben Merrick and Ivan Robinson. Picture: Gary Bradshaw/Frankie Photography.

UMPIRE APPOINTMENTS – MPNFL DIVISION TWO GRAND FINALS

SENIORS

FIELD                    Benjamin Dickson, Josh Shields, Rohan David

BOUNDARY         Steven Bonfadini, Benjamin Merrick, Ryan Brown

GOAL                    Ivan Robinson, Andrew MacDonald

EMERGENCY       Cooper Marriott

RESERVES

FIELD                    Robert Ellis, Wesley Mann, Luke Fisher

BOUNDARY         Olivia Steenholdt, Alex Duyvestyn, Josh Taylor

GOAL                    Sarah Fishley, Harley Trickey

UNDER 19s

FIELD                    Traye Gent, Zach Brasier, Hugh Tatman

BOUNDARY         Jordan Lock, Olivia Grcic, Nathan Mann

GOAL                    Stephen Noble, David Golby