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