Pannell, Davies inducted into AFLUA Hall of Fame
Current field umpires coach Troy Pannell and WRFLUA hall of famer Rod Davies were inducted into the AFLUA Hall of Fame in May.
Troy umpired three WFNL Division 1 Grand Finals between 1994 and 1996, before a stellar career at the top with 219 AFL matches (including five finals), a stint as president of the AFLUA, and life membership of the AFLUA in 2015.
Rod waved the flags in five consecutive WFNL Division 1 Grand Finals between 1981 and 1985, going on to umpire 173 AFL games, including the 1992 and 1997 Grand Finals. Rod also earned AFLUA life membership in 1997 and has coached/observed in both leagues.
VFL Success
More excellent news for WFNL alumni, with Monique Galea one of three boundary umpires earning selection to the VFLW Grand Final between North Melbourne and Western Bulldogs at Port Melbourne. Goal umpire Bradley Heffernan-Benfield also featured in the finals series.
Across town, Connor Petrie was busy making his VFL senior debut, waving the flags for the Carlton v Collingwood match at Princes Park.
Congratulations to you both!
Vale Bob Taylor
Long-time junior umpiring coach Bob Taylor passed away in May after a long health battle.
Bob was well respected for his dedication to umpire development, and helped guide many of our present day senior umpires. This commitment was formally acknowledged by the WFNL and AFL Victoria at last year's presentation night.
Rest in peace, Bob.
West Gate Tunnel Project & Harris/Cowper update.
Visitors to the clubrooms in the last month would have noticed big changes, with Harris St now permanently closed between Hyde and Cowper Sts. Cowper St works continue, with significant earthworks at the rear carpark, as well as kerb installation at the northern end. Hopefully just a few more months before we never have to deal with those deep potholes again!
More information on both projects can be found at the following links:
https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/News/Cowper-Street-works-to-start-next-month
Milestones
Congratulations to the following umpires for their significant achievements in Season 2024:
200 Division 1 matches
- Vaughan Garner (field) - R5
- Trevor Budge (goal) - R7
Division 1 debut
- Cooper Johnstone (boundary) - R7
- Liam Retallick (boundary) - R7
- Liam Brennan (field) - R8
- Ash Gardner (field) - R9
- Matthew Hill (boundary) - R9
- Noah Luppino (field) - R12
- Andrew Singleton (goal) - R12
- Mike Woollard (field) - R14
- Jason Bonica (boundary) - R14
- Xavier Brandham (boundary) - R14
- Brodz Owen (boundary) - R14
- Jeffery Gambrell (goal) - R14
News
Our Values
Values are important. They dictate thinking and they dictate performance and focus. In 2013 the umpiring body decided as a group what they would like their five core values to be and as an umpire, we strive to deliver on these in everything we do. Read More
