The Whistle Blower - 30th August 2008
he Geelong Football League come on board this week with finals and congratulations to all those who will be involved in the Finals that are happening in all Leagues. I did get my token GFL game last week at Geelong West St Peters, and yes, I did go in for a drink after the game. I think the boys were a bit surprised that I did as the last time I was there was at their raffle night, I didn’t win the raffle but I did appreciate their hospitality.
On of our first year boundary umpires - "Laser" Lewis Kenyon was our second winner of the "throw for dough" a couple of weeks ago. He won $65 for his trouble and a healthy dose of bragging rights (on top of another first year umpire Ashleigh Trezise winning it earlier in the season). Last Tuesday, 19th August, saw the boundary umpires compete in both an indoor and outdoor session for some great prizes. The indoor session took the form of a trivia night with questions on boundary umpiring, the GFUL, nicknames and famous faces. The outdoor session was the inaugural "throw-a-thon", where umpires had to sprint in, signal and blow out of bounds, retrieve a footy and throw it back in to the coach who was standing in a 1.5 square metre designated catching zone, within a regulation 15 metres. If the ball did not land in the catching zone, a strike was recorded against the umpire . In a cut throat competition - 2 strikes saw the boundary umpire eliminated from the competition. The three umpires in the competition who made it through to the Final were, Lee Taylor, Josh Stubbings and Nathan Kennedy. fate would have it, all received their second strike on the same throw, which saw a sudden death throw off. Nathan was eliminated first leaving Lee and Josh going head to head. Josh landed in the catching zone with his next throw and the pressure was too much for Lee with his throw landing wide - giving Josh the title of throw-a-thon champion for season 2008. For his efforts he won a sports bag, drink bottle, an umpire shirt and shorts (as worn by AFL umpires) and $30 cash. Lee was runner up and the prize for best first year thrower went to none other than "Laser" Lewis Kenyon.
Last Sunday Bill Fulton asked me to be GFUL Umpire Co-ordinator at the District finals but I declined as I was going to see Geelong on Sunday. I enjoyed the Cats win thoroughly but I was intrigued by the guy standing behind me supporting the umpires, when some fool in the crowd had let loose. He was wearing a kangaroos jumper but had a Geelong lanyard around his neck. I asked him at half time what the story was with the fact he was wearing the Kangaroos jumper but had a GFC Membership around his neck. Then it all clicked, when I couldn’t be the Umpires Co-ordinator on Sunday, Bert Touwslager stood in for mr and the guy I was talking to was Bert’s Nephew, Troy, who was making good use of Bert’s Geelong Membership.
Managed to get along to the Bellarine Football League vote count last Monday night and congratulations to Christian Robertson for taking out the Lee Ash Best and Fairest Medal.
I am sure he would have thanked the umpires and myself after winning the Award as I did umpire Anglesea a couple of times throughout the year. I did say to his Dad to pass on my congratulations and that he owed me couple of beers!!
GFUL Goal Umpire Coach, Mark Osborne, criticised a young goal umpire last week about the state of his boots as they still had a bit of mud on still on them from the week before. Ozzie lost his cool and asked the the lad why his boots were still dirty. The lad replied, “Dad didn’t clean them for me this week”. Ozzie replied, that job is not one for your father, but one for your mother. Ozzie, we know who cleaned your boots.
Milestones last week – Terry Gillard 300 games and Michael Dwyer 200 games.
Milestones this week – John Hill 700 games and Bill Harrison 300games.
Other significant milestores were, K-Mac, the GFUL Appointments Co-ordinator, who became a Pensioner last week (65) and myself for making it to the ripe old age of 40 last Sunday. Hope to see plenty of you back at the rooms tonight…with your well wishes, I have still got some change from the $5.00 I left at the bar a few weeks ago for my friends to have a drink.
Macca Damian McMaster GFUL
The Whistle Blower - 23rd August 2008
This week sees more umpires officiating in Finals with the Geelong and District Football League starting its Finals Series at St Albans Reserve. Good luck to all those appointed to finals in this week’s round of football.
Thursday last week, the GFUL held another successful Finals Launch at Skilled Stadium. Darren Goldspink had agreed to be the main speaker but at the last minute was unable to attend. With very little notice, Steve Keating, Director of Umpiring, quickly arranged for former GFUL Coach,Peter Nelis, to speak, something for which Peter could easily have won a Gold Medal for Australia in Beijing. Peter spoke very well though, focussing on umpiring in the past and how little opportunity there was for field umpires to get a football Grand Final back in his day, compared to today. With regular coaching and umpire observations throughout the year and over the finals series, there is more consistent approach to appraising umpires and their performances throughout the whole season and there are many more Grand Final appointments available. Not so long back we had single field umpire appointments, now we have three field umpires in all finals games. The evening finished about 9:30, for some that is, as Peter Fitzgerald, a new umpire with the GFUL this year hailing from the Essendon & District Football League, stuck around with me, Murray Fanning and Mick Zaljevic to listen to "Pete Nelis unplugged", reliving some old classic tales from yester-year about some legendary and some not so legendary umpires of the past. It was classic Pete Nelis in the Cats Bistro for a couple of hours and upon departing the Bistro the colourful stories just kept flowing. The time just flew by and as we approached midnight and when we had finally made it to the car park it was about 5 degrees. Twenty minutes later our ears were starting to freeze up, frost bite was starting to set in and we just had to get home, but I am sure Fitzy would have enjoyed his first GFUL Umpires Finals Launch.
I believe Murray Fanning took a phone call at half time the other week from a fellow umpire who happened to be out injured for the weekend and was questioning why Muz wasn’t running very fast. The same umpire happened to be sitting in his WHEELS watching the game from the centre wing at the time.
This week three young GFUL Female Umpires travel to Adelaide in the second leg of the SANFL/GFUL Female Umpire Exchange. Jacqui Ginn, Erin Keating and Kaitlyn Marriner, who were all part of the All Female Promotion at Queens Park last month, are going over to SA to umpire in an AFL curtain raiser before the Port Adelaide v Melbourne game at AAMI Stadium, the South Australian School-Girls’ Grand Final. The girls will be accompanied by Andrea Keating, wife of Steve Keating, and Jason “Jock” Hillgrove, a senior Field Umpire Coach.
Significant Milstones achieved by Umpires from last weekend:
• Lloyd Kennedy 50 games and Tim Evans 250 games
Significant Milstones to be achieved by Umpires this weekend:
• 200 Games for Michael Dwyer
See you back at the rooms tonight, maybe I’ll have still have some change from my $5.00 shout last Saturday night.
Macca Damian McMaster GFUL
Whistle Blower - 16th August 2008
After training last Thursday night, over 120 umpires attended the GFUL’s official 2008 Finals Launch in the Fred Flanagan room at the Geelong Football Club. Guest Speakers included Eric Nicholls (former Cats VFL player, successful Coach of several local clubs and current Media Commentator for the GDFL) and the one and only Darren Goldspink, who retired at the end of Season 2007 after an illustrious and colourful career as a Senior AFL Field Umpire. The function also provided an opportunity for the GFUL to recognise and reward Club Umpires by making presentations to the “Club Umpire of the Year” in each of the GFL, BFL and G&DFL Reserve Grade Competitions. The winners in each League were: GFL - Alex Oats (Colac), BFL – Craig Oldfield (Portarlington) and G&DFL – Stewart Krieg (Corio). This week sees the first week of finals in the Bellarine Football League and Geelong Junior Football League, congratulations to all those involved in finals this weekend.
I was at Bell Post Hill on last Saturday, and got to run with a couple of legends of the GFUL. Peter Nelis (94.7 The Pulse’s very own Sportslink presenter and former coach of the GFUL) made his comeback game after about 7 weeks out with a calf injury. Peter has timed his return perfectly for the Finals, so watch out boys. The other Legend was Boundary Umpire Terry Maloney who reckons it has been about 16 years since he last ran the boundary for the seniors. Both Peter and I remember Terry back in the days of his former glory when his was the top GFUL Boundary Umpire. In 1985, Terry ran the GFL Grand Final on the boundary, just to be pipped by Roger King for the Most Outstanding Boundary Umpire for that Year. Terry still loves to be involved with football, he runs pretty big now-a-days in the U18’s; his senior appointment bought back plenty of memories I am sure if Terry keeps going around for a few more years we will soon see him bestowed with Life Membership after 25 years service. Just on the game, I’m surprised we are not still at Bell Post Hill, it would have to have been one of the longest games of football I’ve been involved in. It started a couple of minutes before the official start of 2:05 and ended a couple of minutes after 5pm. Most of the quarters were nearing that 40 minute mark…. I’ll be requesting overtime for that marathon effort!
The Umpy’s meeting last Thursday was very intense and focussing on the following items in the lead up to the Finals:
Field Umpires - Set-kick control – Jock Hillgrove
Boundary Umpires – 3 Umpire System in Finals – Brian Hunter-Evans and Eden Stubbings
Goal Umpires – Finals Preparation – Allan Grant and Mark Osborne
Junior Finals – Jack Ververs and Paul Grossman
Communication – Clear and Concise - Teamwork
Match Reports – Scorecards to be signed off by Field Umpires
Reportable Offences and Send Offs
Finals Appointments Selection Criteria
Emergency Umpires Duties - Able to report and issue Red/Yellow Cards, in addition to looking after the spare football, umpires jackets and monitoring runners, water-boys and trainers.
Umpires Code of Conduct and Dress Standards were also seriously addressed, so as you can see, nothing much was overlooked and the umpires should now all be well prepared for any eventuality that may arise in the Finals Series.
Remember to get back to the rooms tonight to celebrate the start of the finals with your mates. Unfortunately I wont be there as Ill be in Sydney watching Geelong play, but I have left some money on the Bar for all of my friends to have a drink on me, $5 should cover it.
Macca
Damian McMaster GFUL
Whistle Blower - 9th August 2008
Last Wednesday week, the GFUL celebrated its Annual First Year Umpires’ Night. This is our formal opportunity to thank all of our new umpires and their families for their commitment to umpiring for the year. The GFUL has welcomed just over 80 new umpires in 2008 and about 60 of these plus family members came along for the celebration. In all about 150 people attended the function. The GFUL Chairman outlined the history and structure of the GFUL and the opportunities that existed for new umpires to progress to senior level and beyond.
You might notice Bill Fulton with a new offsider over the next month. The GFUL Board of Management have appointed Carl Wood to replace him as General Manager of the GFUL. Carl was selected from a strong field of applicants. The Board have also approved a transition period commencing on the 1st August through until the completion of this current 2008 season, during which time Bill will pass on as much knowledge and expertise as possible to make Carl’s introduction into the role a smooth one.
Plenty of opportunities for Boundary Umpires last week with many making their senior debuts. Jordy Gray, Amelia Ekkel, Rhiannon Davis, Melanie Grbin, Georgia Kelly, Genevieve Walsh, Corey Phillips, Tim Arklay, Hayley Neville and Sarah Skurrie were all part of the Senior action last weekend according to my man on the line, Briggsy.
Milestones
Significant Milestones achieved last weekend were:
Brad Wirth (400 games), Justin Wheelahan (250 games), Peter West and Howard Philpott (200games).
This weekend we will try and get David Chaston over the line for his 450th game as he did not run last week. Other significant Milestones for this weekend are:
Chris Villanti (300games) and Ashlee Spalding (50 games)
The GFUL will be celebrating its Annual Finals Launch on Thursday 14th August in the Fred Flanagan Room at Skilled Stadium. Cost $10, see Gary Flowers to reserve your seat.
Guest Speakers will be former AFL Field Umpire, Glen James and G&DFL Media Personality, Eric Nicholls. This year’s Finals Launch will include the inaugural “Best Club Umpire Award” to be presented to the best Reserve Grade (Club) Umpire in each of the GFL, BFL and G&DFL Leagues as determined by the GFUL coaching panel.
Five GFUL Umpires from the VCFL Umpiring Academy, have been appointed to officiate in an International Cup game to be played at Kardinia Park West on Saturday 30th August starting at 12 Noon. One of the two International teams competing in the game will be Denmark with their opponents yet to be advised. GFUL Umpires appointed to the game are:
Field Umpire – Garyn McCallum
Boundary Umpires - Tinanshe Nyatsanga and Nick Steel
Goal Umpires - Terry Gillard and Luke McLean
The GFUL’s involvement in International competition may hopefully lead to some overseas appointments in the future, who knows?
See you back at the rooms tonight.
Macca Damian McMaster GFUL
The Whistle Blower - 2nd August 2008
Eleven students from Sacred Heart Girls College, who participated in the VCFL School Based Umpiring Academy, were presented with their certificates at the School Assembly on Wednesday 16th July. The Certificates were presented by VCFL General Manager Umpiring, Gerard Ryan and VCFL Umpire Development Manager, Rod Threlfall, who delivered the course over a seven session period. Eight of the eleven girls have since registered as umpires with the Geelong Football Umpires League and all have been appointed to games over the past few weeks.
Girls to successfully complete the course were: Alice Buckley, Georgia Buckley, Rhiannon Davies, Emma Delaney, Amelia Ekkel, Rebecca Goring, India Kinsey, Gabrielle McKeown, Johanna Mousley, Kate Nolan and Shari Stillman. The success of the Academy Course can be gauged by the fact that Rhiannon, Emma, Amelia, Rebecca and Johanna have all been umpiring regularly with the GFUL since completing the course with Boundary Umpire Rebecca, umpiring at senior level over the past three weeks.
I personally had the pleasure of Rebecca on the boundary last Saturday at Newcomb v Drysdale, it was a 14 goal opening term, and all quarters lasted 30 plus minutes. I was spent after the first quarter but Rebecca kept it going all game with strong running and excellent throw-ins. A top effort given she plays netball with the Torquay Tigers in the morning.
Just on being out at Newcomb last week, it was great to see Phylis Miles, an old buddy of mine from the Grovedale Hotel; she is on the Ladies Committee and looks after the canteen at home games and keeps the boys fed on Thursday nights. Thank-you to Phylis and Newcomb for looking after the umpires with a huge plate of sandwiches on Saturday afternoons. Josh Stubbings particularly enjoyed them. (Eden you were going to give him dinner that night weren’t you?)
Good to see Mark Atkins on Saturday Night he was catching up with us on a trip down from the Northern Territory. He even had time to umpire the U18’s at Modewarre, a breeze compared to some of the games he has experienced in the Top End. Every umpire wears a hat during the game, players and umpires move to shade during the quarter time breaks and the water boys carry 5 litre iced water containers. He said the abuse from the crowd is very harsh and it is not uncommon to have police escorts after the game.
David Chaston keeps informing me it is his 450th game this weekend and his assessment of everyone of them was “All Good” and all with the his original ACME Thunderer.
Milestones: Last week Luke Connolly racked up his 50th game and this week Justin Wheelahan will reach his 250th and share the glory with David Chaston on the weekend of his 450th.
Umpy’s are doing a bit of ten pin bowling tonight, hope none of them injure their whistle fingers this close to the finals.
Macca
Damian McMaster GFUL
The Whistle Blower - 26th July 2008
The Annual GFUL Life Members Night was held on Thursday 17th July. GFUL Life Members gathered for their AGM and get-together at 5:30pm in the Geelong Football Club Social Clubroom, while the rest of the membership were involved in a coaching session delivered by AFL Umpire, Brett Rosebury. At 7:30pm the Life Members reassembled back at the GFUL rooms where they were all formally introduced to the current members. Chairman Brendan Beveridge gave a brief summary on the proposed upgrade and future development of the GFUL Rooms folowed by details of all the representative games that GFUL umpires had been involved in so far this season. Three of our most senior Life Members related some tall stories and anecdotes from their era, one of whom was Roly Armstong, a former Coach of the umpires, who gave us all an insight into his time as an umpire and a coach. Mick Robinson spoke about umpiring in the Western District and Ray Gurrie then told us how good he was as an umpire, how hard done by he was as an umpire and how good he was as a coach. This was followed by the GFUL Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony which recognises those very special Life Members, past and present, who have given so much to umpiring. Alan McLean and Jack “Ripper” Robinson were the two 2008 Inductees. Ripper’s wife Val and son Daryl, were both present at the ceremony to accept the award on his behalf, as was Ripper’s brother Mick, the current President of the GFUL Life Members Association, whilst Alan McLean had travelled from Shepparton to be at the function and was completely surprised with his award.
Last week, I spoke of Mark Osborne enthusiastically filling in as goal umpire for a game when the appointed umpire pulled out, well the story gathered even more legs on the Life Members night last week when Mark related that during his stint between the posts, he made at least five phone calls. On the phone to his wife to organise his gear, “yes dear, can you organise my umpiring gear and pants, hang on a minute” silence as she hears tap, tap, tap, mine, all clear, and a whoosh of the flags then a scribe of a pencil, “I’m back now dear, can you also make sure you get my boots and flags and pack them in my bag and I’ll arrange to have it picked up.” Four phone calls later during the quarter, it was all a false alarm as a replacement goal umpire turned up to deny Ozzie another glorious opportunity to show he had lost none of his immaculate and flamboyant style since retiring.
GFUL Boundary Umpire, Jake Robertson, ran the Boundary on the hallowed turf of the MCG in the curtain raiser to the Richmond v Essendon game at the MCG on Saturday 19th July. The curtain raiser game is part of the Qantas AFL Kickstart Program and players have been selected from the participants in this year’s program. The program is a Healthy Lifestyle Program which aims to use Australian Football to enhance the lifestyle of indigenous people living in remote areas of Australia. Jake has been rewarded with this appointment for his efforts at the V/Line Cup and as a member of the 2008 VCFL Umpiring Academy.
Congratulations to Brad Smith on his engagement this week to the beautiful Belinda, they are a fantastic couple and we wish them all the very best for their future together.
Keep this date free. The Field umpires (leadership group) are organising a social evening on the 2nd of August.
See you back at the rooms tonight.
Macca Damian McMaster GFUL
The Whistle Blower - 19th July 2008
The cold weather certainly set in last Saturday and it got extremely cold watching Geelong whack Freo from the third tier of the Hickey stand. Bert Touwslager also found it extremely cold at North Geelong, he had to come back to the GFUL rooms for a hot shower. Not many made it back to the rooms last week, but I am sure we will see more faces front up after their matches in the lead up to the finals, as all hands are back on deck this week with all three leagues and the Juniors, back to full strength competition.
This week is an Umpire Exchange Round for the GFUL. We are having Umpire Exchanges with Colac, Ballarat and Warrnambool Umpires and from the Western Region Football Umpires Assoc in Melbourne . We will send a Field, Boundary and Goal Umpire to a game in each of their competitions and they will send umpires to us likewise, so you might notice umpires with slightly different uniforms at games this week.
Had a look at the St Mary’s v South Barwon game last Sunday, Geelong were not playing, and it drew a pretty big crowd, not to mention, the plethora of umpires and umpires coaches checking out the performances of the officiating umpires. All of the Boundary Umpires’ Coaching Panel were there, as were most of the Field Umpires Coaching Panel. The officiating umpires were all under severe scrutiny by the Coaches and no doubt all umpiring performances from here on in will definitely have an impact on where umpires finish in the pecking order come finals time.
An interesting incident that came out of the game ocurred in the third quarter when South Barwon was having a set shot for goal. Mark Bushfield was backing away from the incoming ball when he was collected by someone. Most of us only saw Mark picking himself up off the ground and were all waiting for the whistle to be blown and a free kick and report to be laid, but nothing eventuated. We later found out that one of our own, namely, Sam Mirable, a very senior Boundary Umpire with 20 plus years of experience, was thundering toward the behind post with a full head of steam up to position himself for the the shot at goal, when Bushy backed into his path.
Mark Osborne must be surely thinking of coming out of retirement soon. His juices are starting to flow quite profusely after he did another stint in the goals last week after David House become ill during the morning and Ozzie just happened to be in the right place at the right time to take over and fill in the Reserves game at St Joseph’s. Again someone in the crowd made comment about the fact he was wearing jeans instead of the regulation black slacks, Ozzie, quick as a flash responded with the standard Goal Umpires response to hecklers and jeerers. By the way Ozzie you still owe Bill for a drink. Ozzie comes back to the Umpy’s rooms after every the game and orders 1 drink and tries on the old “I’ve only got a $50 note trick”, knowing there is not enough change in the till, sorry Ozzie, we are a wake up to you now.
Keep this date free. The Field umpires (leadership group) are organising a social evening on the 2ndof August.
Milestones for this wee are – Stan Pokorny (600 Games), Roy Lawrence (400), Geoff Lamb (250), Rob Steel (150) , Jacqui Ginn and Aidan Blake (100).
See you back at the rooms tonight.
Macca Damian McMaster GFUL
Just on a sad note, our old faithful girl (horse) family pet has passed away. Sally was 30 years. RIP from all the family. All those that knew her, know she gave so much pleasure to many kids and families in the area.
Whistle Blower - 12th July 2008
This week’s Bulletin from the Director of Umpiring, which is distributed to all Clubs, applies to all levels of football from the Senior grades right down to the Juniors, specifically asks that it be brought to the attention of all Team Managers and Coaches of the U18, U16 and U14 teams. It has become apparent to GFUL coaching staff that some teams are not always complying with the “Spirit of the Laws” or with applicable local “Codes of Behaviour”. From now on, GFUL Umpires are under instruction to pay strict attention to the following for the remainder of the Home and Away season, in preparation for the finals.
Rough-House Play. There are some teams with players who appear too interested in playing the “man” rather than maintaining focus on the football. Late tackles, after-disposal hits or tackles, slinging of opponents onto the ground and the physical niggling of opponents off-the-ball are not in the spirit of the game, especially for under age competitions and will not be tolerated. Coaches should not be instructing their young, learning players to emulate this part of the AFL players methods. Free kicks will be applied without warning and send-offs may be given at the umpires’ discretion. GFUL Umpires will not tolerate under-age players trying to hurt opponents.
Please note: Within the "spirit of the laws" of Australian football, although a tackle may be legal, if it is also dangerous, e.g. burying a player hard into the ground or a spear tackle, a free kick can be awarded to the player offended against.
All Clubs and Umpires have received a copy of this Bulletin and more information is available on the website www.gful.com.au -Coaching Corner-Field Umpires.
I hope Justin Wheelahan made it home last week. With finals just around the corner “Wheels” is getting all the dirt he can from the Director of Umpiring (DOU). He had the road trip to Colac last week with Paul McElhinney as his chauffer but had a more celubrious ride home with the DOU. They made it back to the rooms quite late on Saturday night where Wheels was seen to be getting on quite well with the DOU, no doubt using a fair bit of grease in trying to get a ride home with him to Drysdale. I am sure we will see Wheels in the finals but he didn’t have to go that extent, although I do know of some umpires in the past who have mowed the DOU’s lawn to advantage.
Life Members Night is on Thurday the 17th of July. All Life Members should have received an invitation for the 2008 Life Members’ Evening to be held at the Geelong Football Club Social Clubrooms at 5:30pm. (I must remind Life Members this is half an hour earlier than usual so jot the time down in your diaries) You must RSVP Bill Fulton by the 11th July.
Keep this date free. The Field umpires (leadership group) are organising a social evening on the 2nd of August.
Milestones this week include:
John Phillips 400 games, Bert Touwslager 350, Ross Marriner and James Gregory 150, Aidan Blake 100 and Laura Cooling 50. Congratulations and well done.
See you back at the rooms tonight.
PS. Thanks Rawlo for the kind words on the Whistle Blower last week.
Macca Damian McMaster GFUL
The Whistle Blower - 5th July 2008
Last Saturday 28th June 2008, female umpires officiated in all disciplines, Field, Boundary and Goal in every game on the Bellarine Football League program at Queens Park, Highton, where Geelong Amateurs hosted Portarlington. Every single umpiring appointment for the day in Seniors, Reserves, U/18’s and U/14’s, was filled by females. There have been some isolated instances previously where single games have been umpired by a totally female umpire panel, but never at senior level and never for a whole Match Day program of 4 matches on the one day. I t was tough work keeping the all female regime on the park all day as a couple of them broke down during the course of the day, but no worries, they were all duly replaced by other very willing GFUL female umpires who were in attendance.
Five girls from South Australia arrived on Thursday night and had a rather cool trip down the highway. After collecting the girls from the airport, Bill Fulton had to perform a reversing manoeuvre in the car park only to hit a sign and break the large side window of the mini bus.
Saturday was a tremendous success, as evidenced by the spontaneous round of applause that erupted from a very supportive and appreciative crowd at the end of the game as the girls walked off the ground.
Later that night, all the umpires ventured down to the Rooms in Kardinia Park for the “Gong Show”, hosted by the Boundary Umpires. The evening opened with Brian Hunter-Evans, looking very Austin Powerish, introducing the host for the evening Eden “Eon” Stubbings. A Game of Celebrity Head was the warm-up event for the Gong Show. The seven acts performed in the Show were all very different making it difficult for the judges to separate. Well done to all those girls and guys who performed, the judges and most importantly, to the ladies working in the kitchen. Including our very own “Birthday Girl” Maryanne Villanti.
The umpires had 3 km Time trials a couple of weeks ago, with most umpires improving their times from theie pre-season trials. Jack Krzywdzinski and Scott Bennett in particular, both took off about a minute and a half from their pre-season times.
Bell Post Hill was the Hoodoo Ground last weekend. I came off at half time with a calf injury and the boundary umpire didn’t make the last quarter. At Newcomb, Craig Oldfield was assisted by Club umpires in the Senior game because of some late withdrawals of GFUL umpires. Well done and thankyou to Craig, Warren Michell and Peter Angelevski.
Milestones.
Daniel Dorling assures me that he notched up 200 games last week. Other Major Game Milestones last week were achieved by:
Brendan Beveridge 300, Russell Pritchard 100, and Steve Trotter 50.
This week sees the following Game Milestones for:
Noel Hooper 950, Geoff Lamb 250, Dean Parrello, Ross Marriner and James Gregory 150, Steve Smith and Laura Cooling 50.
See you back at the rooms tonight.
Macca Damian McMaster GFUL www.gful.com.au
The Whistle Blower - 28th June 2008
I still seem to be on the goal umpires case. What more do you think there could possibly be to talk about goal umpires but I just have to tell you about the Goalie I ran with last week. I was at the Winchelsea v Bannockburn game with my partner in crime, Stuart Morgan Now Stuart is not the tallest umpire going around, far from it, but we had someone in the goals who is even smaller and younger than all of us. It was his first game in Senior Football, he goes to school at Kardinia International, he is in Year Eight and is 14 years old. His name is William Lane and he went about his job in the goals like a true professional. He had a massive day behind the sticks, firstly doing the Reserve game and then backing up in the Seniors. The Reserves had a score-line of 18 Goals 21 behinds and the Seniors a score-line of 38 goals and 29 behinds, including a handful of out of bounds and a few out on the full. When you add it all up, that’s a total of 56 Goals (both flags waved) and 50 Behinds (single flag waves) and don’t forget the acknowledgement to the score board after each quarter (another 8 flag waves). Well done young William, you certainly earned your money last Saturday. It was fantastic to see some of the Bannockburn Goal Kickers approach William after the game and shake his hand for a job well done.
Still on goal umpires, we had one go down in the St Marys Reserves game. Steve McDonald (I gave him a wrap a couple of weeks ago) has done his knee, hopefully he’ll be back soon. A club goal umpire took over for a while, before the infamous Mark Osborne, who was the Official Goal Umpire Observer at the game, stood in and all reports are that he has regained the appetite. The club umpire was relieved to have someone take over the flag waving and I believe the club umpire was very impressed by Ozzies style, proving he still has it, whatever it is. The clubbie was overheard to mention “this guy in his jeans seems to know a lot about what he’s doing”. St Marys ground proved to be a Hoodoo ground for umpires last weekend with Vito Giarrusso U18’s, injured, Mark Hockey Reserves Corky, Chris Taylor Seniors Calf, while at StAlbans Paul Trotter got through the game carrying an ankle. Hope all can come up this week.
This week we have the All Female Ump[ire contingent running at the Geelong Amateurs today and we wish participating teams and the girls the best of luck on the day. All games from the U14’s to the Seniors will be umpired by Girls who are involved in football umpiring from Victoria and South Australia.
Remember to be back at the Rooms tonight for the “Gong Show” to be presented by the boundary umpires. A $5 entry fee is all that it costs and with plenty of prizes, celebrities, (celebrity head) Karoke, and Gongs, including acts from the Boundary umpires, Field umpires Goal umpires and Coaching Panel, it all adds up to a bumper night. Other acts welcome see Brian Hunter-Evans. Rooms open from 6pm.
Congratulations to Erin Keating and Aidan Blake (Field), Nick Steel and Jake Robertson (Boundary) and Matthew Robertson (Goal) who will all represent the GFUL at the 2008 V/Line Cup to commence in Melbourne on 30th June.
Macca Damian McMaster GFUL www.gful.com.au
The Whistle Blower - 21st June 2008
I gave the goal umpires a bit of a wrap last week and I must apologize for quoting Alan Grant’s notes where he thanked Anne-Marie Villanti for helping out at the Goalies Karaoke Night a few weeks ago. I made a fatal error in assuming that Alan must have known something more about Ann-Marie’s name than I did. In actual fact, Anne-Marie’s real name is Maryanne and she reminded in no uncertrain terms that she really liked her name and did not appreciate being referred to as Anne-Marie. I know Maryanne is very maternally strong about names, as she gets peeved whenever I she hears me calling her son by the name of Tommy, insisting that his name is Tom.
GFUL Goal Umpire Coach, Mark Osborne, was impressed with Geoff Lamb at the weekend and he wasn’t even at Geoff’s game. Ozzie was listening to the broadcast game between Portarlington and Anglesea, which I just happened to be umpiring. A shot on goal for Anglesea looked to be either a behind, or a mark right on the behind line between the goal and point posts. Geoff was in a great position to adjudicate whether the ball had crossed the behind line for a score or was a mark and declared it was in fact a mark. As soon as the mark was paid by the Field Umpire, the player took a couple of steps and snapped a shot on goal. Geoff moved as quick, if not quicker than the player, to get back to the right side of the goal post to acknowledge the 6 points. It was very impressive and it obviously filtered through the radio broadcast as to how well the goal umpire had done in getting into position. Ozzie just had to ask me back at the rooms that night.
Not happy with the goal umpires at the moment! I was just having my Saturday morning relax (still asleep) when Ozzie and Paul Holmes turned up to run an early game that another umpire was sure he was appointed to do. Ozzie told the extra umpire to “give Macca a call” to sort it out. Thanks Ozzie, he rang me instead of Kmac interupting my pre-match preparation and meditation. Just on that, I believe Goal Umpire Holmes, alias David House, did a calf during that game.
Boundary umpire Tim Larkins was on rotation with me last week and was running with Patrick Shell, better call him Patrick in case his Mother has been talking to Maryanne, a young up and comer. The two boys did a great job and Patrick was fantastic in only his second year, the only thing I could fault was that he forgot to take his jacket with him after the game (and get your mum to shine your runners). It’s okay Pat I’ll pass on the jacket to your Mum at work.
Great to see Bill Harrison crack it for his first Senior GFL game last weekend, there would be no-one more deserving in the GFUL.
A huge day next Saturday, 28th June, with an All-Female contingent running at the Geelong Amateurs v Portarlington game. Bill Fulton in conjunction with the AFL, SANFL and VCFL have planned and promoted an All-Female Umpire Panel Day hoping it will encourage more females to become involved in our great game. It looks set to be a huge stage with plenty of media coming for the event including Chennel 7, the Herald-Sun Newspaper and plenty of local media also. The GFUL has had plenty of media attention in the past but this promotion looks like topping it all.
To really top off the day, we hope to see every-one back at the umpires rooms with the SANFL girls for “The Gong Show”, to be presented by the Boundary Umpires. A $5 entry fee, plenty of prizes, celebrities, (celebrity head) Karaoke, and Gongs, including acts from the Boundary, Field and Goal Umpires plus a Bonus act from the Coaching Panel, will make it a very entertaining and enjoyable night. Other acts are welcome, contact Brian Hunter-Evans.
Congratulations this week to Pierce Johnson and Russell “Rusty” Pritchard on achieving their 50 Game Milestones.
Macca
Damian McMaster
Congratulations to Steve Trotter and David House on their appointments to the National Country Championships Grand Final between Victoria and the ACT at Shepparton last weekend. Both umpired exceptionally well throughout the Championships and their performances were rewarded. Steven was later named the “Umpire of the Carnival”, the equivalent of All Australian Selection, which was a tremendous achievement.
The Whistle Blower - 14th June 2008
On Saturday night a fortnight ago the Goal Umpires put on a Trivia and Karaoke Social function which was attended by about 100 members and friends; a great effort as it was also competing with the Geelong Carlton game. Alan Grant, the Goal Umpires Coach, congratulated Debbie Cromer for organizing the meal and the kitchen staff, June Grossman and Ann-Marie Villanti for the great job they did in the kitchen. The three ladies had been working tirelessly in the kitchen preparing food from 11.00am in the morning. The Goal Umpires’ leadership group, lead by Paul Holmes, organized a great Trivia competition and Karaoke event. MC for the evening, Mark Osborne, did his usual outstanding job in spite of having no microphone assistance. A big thnakyou to all those who supported the function and we hope that you all had a really great night. Proceeds from the function will be donated to assist Richard Colman in his quest for Olympic Gold in Beijing. Incidentallly, GFUL Chairman, Brendan Beveridge and his team, won on the night.
Calendar 2008 (2008-03-28 00:00:00)
