When asked to put together a bit of a summary of his career (thus far) to commemorate his 100^th VFL match, my first thought was as if its 100 games already.

Having commenced with John back in 2011, I have had the great pleasure of witnessing hard work and dedication paying off. Long gone are the days of scraping through a time trial/skinnies, and to see him now as a great leader on and off the track is just fantastic.

If there was a ever a figure used for describing taking the P155, Johnny is a lock. We’ve all heard the stories of a signature Johnny moment:

• Doing a back flip on the boundary
• Making a decision whilst literally on the ground, he says it was correct (I’d say its questionable)
• Giving players fend-offs around the interchange gates, (despite giving away kilos and meters)
• Being unable to maintain a consistent cadence without surging 
• Nailing bin throw ins, (when no one is watching)
• Winning a pro running Mile race at Rye (again no witnesses)
• And many, many others.

Another testament to Johnny’s character is his ability to cop decisions on the chin. Having back to back prelims with reviews (not going his way) would give anyone cause to really filthy, dirty up and not speak to anyone for weeks/months. But to his credit, Johnny sucked it up, broke land speed records in 200s and by then end of the session was all smiles and back chatting with everyone.  

I remember preseason 2011, running a reserves match on some back street ground with both sides at quarter strength because they apparently all had a “massive night”. All preseason we had been preached about the jump from local, and to see blokes that couldn’t walk let alone run straight, really did leave us questioning what the hell we had gotten ourselves into.

I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say that your career to date has been a pleasure to watch, and I know personally has driven me to push and reach my own goals.

All the best for this weekend, the rest of the season and hopefully another successful finals series.

Cheers, Vice Skip

Saturday 7 April saw Sam Walsh take to the field to umpire in his 100th VFL game Frankston vs Essendon.

Reaching 100 for Sam hasn’t been exactly run of the mill. The start of 2013 took a turn and saw Sam succumbing to glandular fever, which took him out of action for all of the pre season. Many on the track admire Sam’s resilience, fitness and work ethic for bouncing back and achieving what Sam has today.

Sam has officiated in two TAC cup grand finals (one being in his second year listed!) In 2012 Sam was awarded with the best first year goal umpire, followed by 2013 the most improved senior umpire. It’s also worth mentioning that 12 of these games have been VFL finals, which is a reflection on the kind of umpire Sam is.

So why not get into Sam’s mind, and find out what really makes Sam tick…

How did everything start? What got you into footy?

I always loved footy as a young kid. My brothers and I would often kick the footy in the backyard and I often played at lunchtime with my friends throughout primary school. I played over 140 junior games, but got into umpiring at age 14. I started to notice the umpires more and more at the AFL games I attended or watched on TV and thought it was something that I would be really interested in. My passion for umpiring really grew from that point onwards and after I’d umpired my first game in 2007, I knew umpiring was where my true passion in footy was.

You started in 2013 and were elevated in 2018. How would you describe your time at the VFL?

My time at the VFL was amazing. You know you really enjoy something when you look forward to training each and every week. The atmosphere that we were able to create, enjoying each other’s company, made the umpiring experience really special. Then relationships built between the umpires were always very special. The time, energy and commitment the coaching staff spent on all of us across my six years spent at the VFL was amazing.

What’s your best memory of umpiring football?

I have several on field moments that I won’t forget, but my absolute favourite moment came after the final siren of last year’s VFL grand final. When Simon, Callum and I were sitting in the rooms after the game, the feeling that was running through us is just about indescribable. Knowing you’ve just been part of a thrilling grand final that was decided after the siren, we couldn’t wipe the smiles off our faces. The energy running through me was still at a high level until about 30 minutes after the game. In no other industry do you get that energy running through you like that.

You broke your finger this year. Does this still mean you have the longest signalling finger on the list? How did this come about?

Haha! I’m not sure about the longest on the list… but they’d be up there!! One week before round one (cricket season!!), I was doing some routine catching practice. I got a ball on the end of my middle finger (If only it was shorter?), and managed to break it in five places, as well as dislocate it. We had the VFUA ball that night, so I didn’t exactly go to hospital straight away like I probably should’ve… eventually, I got to hospital and got the news that I’d be missing the entire cricket season as it’s a six month injury!! Unbelievable scenes…

You have a few pre game rituals and routines; please enlighten us….

I always bring a subway sandwich to eat beforehand, although I’ve been constantly reminded for the last four years or so that I have stolen this from Dylan Benwell… I can say, hand on heart, I am not guilty of this!! Other than that, I like to have an iced coffee before the game as well. I’m also normally quite talkative, but you’ll notice with about five minutes to go until walk, I become very quiet!!

So….Lets learn more about what you’d prefer:

Make your girlfriend pay for an uber/or make her pay you?

Agwa lemonade/Cointreau soda?

Middlesbrough / Melbourne City….BOTH!

Steve Smith / David Warner

Sam Walsh / Sam Martin

Sam, you have been an integral part of the culture we have now introducing the Walsh games which tradition is going strong 3 years in. We all congratulate you on your 100th game milestone and wish you all the best with your upcoming season and cant wait to watch you go from strength to strength.

RAISE THE BAT!  S.WALSH 100*

Umpiring VFL footy takes you to many different grounds and Leggo has umpired on quite a few. “All the road trips and overnight accommodation to places all over Victoria including Bendigo, Ballarat, Geelong, Shepparton, Swan Hill and Wangaratta have been good fun.” On a lighter note there is one memory that sticks with Andrew pretty well. “In my first season we used to get given a dvd of some of our match footage and had to self assess. It’s fair to say that Kevin Mitchell (previous head coach) wasn’t too impressed when I handed in my assessment with a statement relating to a particularly good looking young water girl running past”. 

It’s been a pleasure to catch up with Andrew and certainly a fantastic achievement in reaching 100 VFL games. Whilst he hasn’t reached the ultimate high of the AFL, the selfless nature of Andrew says it all. “Making the AFL would be nice but seeing some of my best mates achieve their dream of umpiring at the top level makes it worthwhile knowing that I’ve had some influence along the way to help them get there.”

I had the pleasure of sitting down recently with Simon Plumridge – milestone man and all-round top bloke – to chat to him about his career to date.

How did it all start?

I played footy until I was 13, but I wasn’t much chop. I enjoyed going to watch my local senior team and I’d see the umpires and think that would be cool to do – a good way to be involved in the game and to earn a little pocket money. Then I saw an ad in the local paper, phoned the coach and got stuck in from there.

You’re one of the fitter goal umpires going around. Have you always been between the sticks?

Yes, I’ve always been in the goals. It’s the role that appealed to me most. Fair to say, I wasn’t the fittest when I first started; it’s something I really had to work on and apply myself at.

When did you realise that you could progress your career?

At the end of my second season, I umpired the Eastern Football League (EFL) Division Two Senior Grand Final. The match was tied at full time, so went into extra time. That really fuelled my desire to umpire in big games and I started thinking about and working towards coming to the VFL. The people who were most influential to me were the other goal umpires, who really encouraged me and inspired me. My first coach, Graeme Williams, was very important, too.

Describe your experience of trialling at the VFL.

I was very nervous and excited to get the chance to trial. The environment I stepped into was a far cry from where I’d come from – much more professional. I relished it and dove in. My first practice game was at Arden Street and I wore my local EFL top, as they didn’t have any shirts for trialees. I buddied up with a couple of other first years, including current AFL umpire Dylan Benwell. We shared a lot over those first couple of years.

Speaking of Dylan, Leigh Keen once described both of you as ‘once in a century’ umpires. Give us your thoughts on this and also your bond with Dyl.

It’s very humbling to be thought of in such a way by someone of Leigh’s stature. An amazing umpire and person, Leigh was instrumental in my umpiring development. At the time, I was chuffed to receive such praise. Now I’m a little embarrassed by the label.

Dyl and I have shared a friendship since that first year in 2011. It’s been great to grow and develop as umpires together over the years. I was stoked at the end of last year when he was elevated to the AFL; he’s an extremely talented umpire and deserved his spot after his second Granny. At least he’s living up to his label!

Who’s been most influential on your career to date?

Leigh was outstanding when I first got to the VFL. Steve Stirling was another big influence in the short time before he was promoted to AFL Head Coach, and also David Flegg and David Dixon – the way they think about, coach and approach the game.

As for umpires, the people I’ve looked up to who’ve been very influential – Steve Piperno, Pete Balding, Michael Craig, the list goes on! I’ve got a lot of people to be thankful for.

What are the highlights of your career so far? The lowlights?

All the finals I’ve been involved in. The VFL Grand Final in 2015 is very special to me – a great day with a great panel. Also being involved in the 2016 State Game in Adelaide was a great experience. I’m lucky that lowlights are really few and far between. Missing most of 2016 through injury was very tough, but it’s an experience I’m still working through and learning from. You get to meet so many great people through umpiring – funny moments involved spending time with those people. There are too many to count, although it’s fair to say that games nights at training and Mad Mondays make up most of those moments of fun.

How was your milestone game?

It was a good day overall. I think the most special aspect of the day was the support I got from family, friends and fellow umpires. The game was a real arm-wrestle; players on both teams battled hard all day. The wind was certainly a factor and, in the end, Casey probably played the conditions better at their home ground [than the Northern Blues].

Whom did you pick to partner you in the goals for the day?

Sam Walsh. I’ve umpired with Sam for a long time – we umpired at local level for a few years and did a Senior Grand Final together.

Some quick-fire questions to finish off…

Best you’ve umpired with: I’ve had the privilege of umpiring with lots of great umpires – Dylan Benwell, Steve Piperno and Michael Craig spring to mind. The most consistent umpire I think I’ve ever run with would be Matthew Dervan – absolutely amazing.

Best coach: Four-way tie between Stirling, Keen, Flegg and Dixon! This may seem like a bit of a cop-out but I honestly can’t split them. They were obviously all amazing umpires in their own right and just the knowledge and experience they bring to coaching is phenomenal. They’re all very different coaches but have all had a big impact on me and my umpiring.

Best trainer: Another tie here – Dylan Benwell and Kate Griffiths. Both work really hard on their fitness and skills – and it shows. 

Funniest: I think Anthony Kyrkou and Callum Leonard, often featuring Chris Doyle or Sam Walsh, have proven to be funny over the years.

Strangest game day ritual you’ve seen: Having to show Cyrus that you’ve got a coin for the toss; Benwell and, more recently, Matty Edwards wearing their caps backwards before a game; Edwards again playing with a downball pre-game to warm up; and Doyley getting changed at the last possible moment.

Congratulations, Simon!

– Cyrus Wong

I was recently asked to sit down with a long-standing umpiring colleague, and one of my closest friends – Cyrus Wong – to get a feel for his time at the VFL as he notched up game 100 recently at Trevor Barker Beach Oval.

My earliest memory of Cyrus comes from umpiring in a junior interleague carnival at Bulleen Park. I remember it being not only the first time I’d ever seen an Asian goal umpire – but also the first time I’d ever met anyone named Cyrus!

His notoriety around the Diamond Valley Football League (as it was then known) was almost instantaneous – not only for the diversity of his cultural background – but also for his ability as a first-year umpire.

Cyrus only spent two seasons at the DVFL before being sent to the VFL and he has never looked back!

JF: When did you start umpiring footy, and why did you start?

CW: I started in 2006. At Diamond Valley Athletics Club, Kim Miles, who was in my training group, always tried to recruit umpires from athletics, so, loving footy but not wanting to play, I took up her offer.

JF: What is the most memorable moment in your umpiring career?

CW: Umpiring the 2012 TAC Cup Grand Final and adjudicating the golden point which Jack MacRae kicked to win it for Oakleigh. That day I was with Jack Edwards, whom I’d umpired with in the Diamond Valley, and Tim Carlos, who remains a close friend.

Also, I like to see how players from that day are progressing – the likes of MacRae, Tim Membrey, Nick Graham, Jamie McMillan and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti.

Any chance to be on Etihad Stadium or the MCG, in fact, has been memorable

JF: What made you choose goal umpiring over the other disciplines?

CW: Kim Miles and I were both sprinters and, although she herself boundary umpired locally and recruited others to boundary umpire from the club, I felt that my sprinting background and lack of endurance would make me more suited to the goals.

JF: How have things changed since you’ve been at the VFL?

CW: There are way more umpires because there is a lot more footy to officiate, such as the VFL Women’s competition. Also, after the amalgamation of the AFL Reserves and the old VFL in the late 1990’s, I’ve seen AFL clubs start their own VFL sides and I wouldn’t be surprised if we came full circle before too long.

One other thing – something the young’uns will find hard to believe – it that the AFL umpires used to train with us at Victoria Park and I think that it’s detrimental to both parties that this Is no longer the case. As a developing umpire, I found it extremely valuable to have AFL umpires there every week from whom I could get feedback and answers to any questions I had.

JF: What is one piece of advice you would give to umpires that might be in their first season, or who are relatively new to the list?

CW: It’s very hard to limit my response to just one thing, but I’ll try to keep it brief!

Not just for goal umpires, I’d say be clear within yourself what you want to achieve and set your mind firmly to those goals, not letting anything get in your way. You’ll get plenty of kicks up the backside, so be resilient – and patient. Things worth doing take time.

At the same time, celebrate the little wins you have along the way, but never get ahead of yourself. Do whatever it takes, get the very best out of yourself and – though clichéd – enjoy what you do and appreciate the opportunity you’ve been given to umpire at this level.

For a shortarse like me, it’s not every day, for example, I get to stand next to people like Mason Cox or Jason Holmes, who are 7 feet tall!

It was a welcome chat to have with Cyrus, whom I believe is a real testament to the hard work and focus he mentioned in the interview. As someone I have looked up to, particularly when I made the decision to take up goal umpiring, he has always provided calm and level-headed advice and been able to render my thinking into a different form when things weren’t going so well.

He also touched on some personal achievements, such as maintaining his performance for long enough to make it to game 100 and also the amount his fitness has improved over time, as things he holds dear when he thinks about his umpiring journey.

For me, umpiring has always been a place that’s full of mates – people you just really enjoy being around and learning from. Cyrus holds the invaluable characteristic of loyalty as a colleague and a friend, and I will definitely have being part of his panel on his 100^th VFL game as part of my memorable umpiring moments for years to come.

Congratulations, Cyrus Wong on 100 VFL Games!

– Josh Forner

History was created this year when the first ever AFL Women’s competition began in February…

Continue reading →

100 VFL GAMES: DYLAN BENWELL – THE PRODIGY Continue reading →

Article courtesy of www.vfl.com.au and Fox Sports Pulse.

Field umpire Jamie Grindal will celebrate his 150th Peter Jackson VFL match when he officiates in Sunday’s Anzac Day eve clash between Collingwood and Essendon at Victoria Park. Continue reading →