All umpires who have never been to a football Tribunal are urged to sign-up as an observor before the finals start.

Seeing how a Tribunal works will give you an idea of what procedures a Tribunal follows when it hears reports made by umpires. You will also learn how umpires should give their evidence and answer questions from Tribunal members or advocates.

First year umpire Steven Guarnaccia recently sat in on a two reports heard by the Football Geelong Tribunal. He said, “I saw how the Tribunal and the players’ advocates questioned the umpire about his evidence and I can see that an umpire who has prepared himself for the hearing has a far better chance of having his report sustained by the Tribunal”.

There are notices displayed at the Rooms for you to sign-up and you will be allocated to a Tribunal which suits you.

During the finals, there is more pressure on umpires who report players who could be suspended and prevented from playing the following weekend. Attending the Tribunal as an observer will help umpires if they make a report before the end of the season.

Stan Pokorny
Tribunal Co-ordinator