In recent years we have seen a move by the AFL to have ex-AFL players join umpiring ranks.
2 years ago, Jordan Bannister did so and was thought by many very unlucky not to get the grand final. Leigh Fisher is possibly a bolter for this year’s grand final and from the outside looking in, is umpiring very well.
Now we find out that Andrew Carazzo wants to head down this path. I wish other players would try it (I note the Brett Deledio has bouncing the ball down pat already, nailing at Richmond training on a regular basis).
Could we see within the next few years that the 3 blokes in the field on grand final day, all be ex-AFL players in their own right?
Could we see within the next few years that the 3 blokes in the field on grand final day, all be ex-AFL players in their own right?
No.
Won’t happen for ten years.
Is there any sport where ex players became referees or umpires and were the best choice?
Think to become good at anything, you need years of practice at lower levels.
I think AN has it right about cricket. There is a clear move by the ICC for ex-players of high standard to come across…been that way for probably 2 to 3 generations in England alone. Turns out these ex-playing cricket umpires are actually pretty good at their craft and importantly have on-field respect.
Using that example, I can think of names like Peter Willey, Venkat, Marais Erasmus, Dharmasena and from Australia, the likes of Reiffel and Tucker.
It seems the AFL is following that lead with this program. Another coming through the program is ex-Preston player Andre Gianfagna, who I umpired in the Ammos with last year. Has the tools to make it and is on the VFL panel this year. Shame Mark Fraser couldn’t keep going at it, when he was approached more than a decade ago.
The way the program works is the ex-players go through the Talent Pathway and umpire at local level first, then onto the VFL list as part of the pathway before making the AFL list.
Fisher was with the Ammos just 4 years ago, straight after leaving the Saints.
So…
You’d expect a player who has ran for fifteen yes wars of his career, to retire and keep running for another fifteen?
How far do umpires run in a game without a rest?
Using cricket as an example is useless as those umpires are generally stationary. AFL umpires are unlike any other umpires around the world. In the NBA, you can find referees well into their 50s. Ditto with NFL. Cricket umpires are around the same age. Soccer would be the closest as far as age bracket to the players on the field.
So...
You'd expect a player who has ran for fifteen yes wars of his career, to retire and keep running for another fifteen?
How far do umpires run in a game without a rest?
Using cricket as an example is useless as those umpires are generally stationary. AFL umpires are unlike any other umpires around the world. In the NBA, you can find referees well into their 50s. Ditto with NFL. Cricket umpires are around the same age. Soccer would be the closest as far as age bracket to the players on the field.
This
Umpires in cricket can go into their 60’s, would think after a football career a ump would only have 4-5 at the top before the pace is too much. Ideally they should be recruiting the mid 20 year olds who didnt quite crack it at AFL level but still have enough nouse about the game