Veteran whistleblower ‘Razor’ Ray Chamberlain will be forced to watch the 2018 decider from the bench after he was named as the emergency umpire for Saturday’s decider between Collingwood and West Coast.
The coveted field umpire positions for the big dance have been awarded to experienced trio Brett Rosebury (8), Matthew Stevic (9) and Shaun Ryan (25) – the same panel that officiated the preliminary final between Richmond and Collingwood on Friday night.
Rosebury – who’ll be umpiring game number 399 – is appearing in his seventh grand final (including the 2010 replay) and his first since 2015. He was named as the emergency for last year’s decider after having blown the whistle for every grand final from 2009 and 2013.
Stevic notched his 350th match in the Round 21 clash between Hawthorn and Geelong, and will be umpiring his sixth grand final in seven seasons. Stevic made his grand final debut in 2012’s classic between the Swans and Hawks and, bar 2013, has appeared in every decider since.
Ryan, on the other hand, was considered the top umpire in the system prior to a brief retirement where he focused on his work as a barrister. He’s barely missed a beat upon his return, however, sharing a milestone with Stevic in Round 21 when he umpired his 300th game.
He umpired five deciders in a row between 2008 and 2011, before returning to the game in 2015 and controlling the 2017 decider.
None of the three grand final umpires controlled the Round 17 clash between these sides, where the Eagles triumphed by 35 points.
Additionally, neither team had more than one grand final umpire appointed to any of their home-and-away matches this season, either having one of this year’s chosen panel, or none.
The Magpies played six matches under the control of Rosebury, Stevic or Ryan, including last week’s preliminary final where all three umpired. They won five of those clashes, with the Round 2 loss to the Giants (with Stevic in control) the only blemish.
The Eagles, on the other hand, played eight games under grand final umpires, winning all four under Ryan, splitting their two under Stevic, but losing both matches controlled by Rosebury (Round 15 against Adelaide and Round 19 against North Melbourne).
The boundary umpires will be Nathan Doig (WA), Chris Gordon (VIC), Michael Marantelli (VIC) and Mark Thomson (SA), while Steve Williams (VIC) and Steve Piperno (VIC) will be behind the goals.
Big Daddy
Guest
The afl should think themselves lucky. Better than the nepotism that runs through NRL.
TezzaPel
Roar Rookie
I agree. I really like him. He does like the limelight, but it contrasts him with the others. I thought he had a good year (I always watch the umpires having worked about 600 games in the EDFL, the DDAFL, the SQAFL, the CFL, and the SAAFL.) Having said that, the 3 chosen are very experienced and will do a good job, I am sure.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I love Razor only if my team isn't playing. He is good for theatre in a neutral game and truly horrendous in a game you are invested in.
me too
Roar Rookie
haha raj. well said. and follow on with equal representation in the team. surely life is about equality over quality!
Brian
Guest
Would have prefered Razor Ray to Stevic. Stevic was one of Richmond's best last year so I don't know how on earth he gets another go
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Well the Tigers Pies prelim was the best umpired game of the season IMO and it’s the same group I think?
Tim
Guest
Stevie and Ryan get rewarded for the hatchet job they did on GWS. Here comes Collingwood.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
We are talking about footy umpire appointments. Gender balance engages active gender discrimination. Gender neutral simply judges on umpiring ability. Surely no one wants gender balance ahead of merit.
Paul D
Roar Guru
gender neutral is not gender balance Don
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Why? If you want gender neutral choices, gender can't be a criterion. Otherwise, it is influenced by gender.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Way better than Matt Stevic who is the most easily influenced of all umpires.
Jakarta Fan
Roar Rookie
I love Razor Ray and find it a pity he won't be out there. However, I cannot declare the chosen three unworthy. They are all good umps, and it's a pity we don't have more good quality umps. Congratulations guys.
Goalsonly
Roar Rookie
Razor Ray is a bit chatty but not too bad. I know other faces but not names so much. Probably not a bad thing. I used to get really annoyed at umpires. Then I realized they are like artists making up interpretations on the spot. The rule book is far away. There are many rule interpretations I don't understand. Mainly to do with tackling and ball disposal during the tackle. Oh also contact during a marking contest. Oh and then there's the deliberate punch out of bounds. Oh yeah there's also the short kicking distance. Most of the rest of the game I'm pretty okay with. Oh except for the low tackling and sliding and tunneling and protecting space. I have become a bit more understanding of the studs up mark space clearing but I am still not quite 100 percent on that one either. Anyway .... So I just label it all under interpretation and try not to worry too much. I don't even worry about consistency too much. Sometimes I include them in the opposition as just part of what you are up against. Especially if the trend of the decisions seems to favor some AFL politics I have some little knowledge of .... like expansion clubs. I would like to see two AFL teams play without an umpire one day just to see which players get listened to by the others in the rulings.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Nicholls should be brought in just to do the bounce, he's a specialist there. When he lets it thump on the SCG or Gabba wicket square it goes miles in the air
raj
Guest
The AFL should aim for gender balance in the coming years. More women field umpires, behind the goals and on the boundary. Maybe set a quota for the number of women in the system and then selection on match day is on merit... just a thought
Seano
Roar Rookie
I actually like Razor, he is fast on the scene and makes a point of not being overawed by a home crowd. Generally a good ump.
Gyfox
Roar Rookie
Excellent that Nicholls is also missing out - worst of the lot!
Bruce
Guest
Good decision....the Friday night umpiring was very good
anon
Roar Pro
The guy isn't fit to umpire at AFL level. He thinks he's the star of the show. Loves to bait and niggle players with smart alec remarks. It makes the competition looks amateurish having him umpire. He should be reffing WWE matches.
Paul D
Roar Guru
not sure how anyone could complain about the credentials of the field umps for this game, all 3 are very experienced and highly regarded. No Razor Ray is a good move, he's fast becoming the Billy Bowden of the AFL