The umpiring panels for the 2023 Coates Talent League Grand Finals have been confirmed.
Learn more about the panels who will officiate this weekend's premiership deciders at IKON Park.
COATES TALENT LEAGUE GIRLS
FIELD
Samantha Ritchie
First year involved on the State League Development Squad coming from the Southern Umpires. Has umpired 10 Coates Talent League Girls games this season and two Under-18 Girls Championship matches. Has been promoted onto the AFLW list which is a great achievement in her first season in the State League program.
Shannon Van Boven
First year involved on the State League Development Squad coming from the Western Region Football League. Shannon has umpired eight Coates Talent League Girls matches this season and has shown a real improvement in his umpiring across the season.
Brock Reid
First year involved on the State League development Squad coming from the Ballarat Umpires. Brock has improved and developed himself both on and off field across the season, umpiring nine Coates Talent League Girls matches across the season.
BOUNDARY
Liv Grcic
Second-year umpire who has shown great improvement this year. Mid-year she ran some talent games and was recently awarded the Rising Star award to cap off a great second season,
Ryan Pulley
First-year umpire from the Eastern Football Netball League. As the year went on he became more consistent after responding to feedback from observers. Had a solid finals series and is a strong reader of the play and a strong thrower.
Angus Cameron
First-year umpire from Western Region Football League. Really impressed with his changes of pace and general feel for the game. Has a positive attitude and is a hard worker.
GOAL
Phillip Pettinella
Phil joined the AFL State League umpiring group from the Northern Football Netball League in 2020. After much hard work and dedication to self-improvement over the past three years, Phil was selected to umpire in the 2023 AFL U16 Boys National Championships in Queensland and also appointed as the emergency goal umpire in the 2023 VFLW Grand Final. Phil was also appointed to umpire in both boys and girls Coates Talent League finals series.
Jenna Green
Originally from the Essendon District Football League, Jenna is in her first-year umpiring at the AFL State League after a successful debut at the 2022 VLine Cup in Shepparton. She was selected to umpire in the 2023 AFL U16 Girls National Championships in Victoria and appointed to umpire in the 2023 VFLW and Coates Talent League Girls finals series. She was also awarded the 2023 AFL State League Development Goal Umpire Coaches Award.
(Pictured above: L-R Cohen Shannon, Jenna Green, Olivia Grcic, Angus Cameron, Shannon Van Boven, Samantha Ritchie, Brock Reid, Angus Cameron, Phillip Pettinella, Ryan Mann)
COATES TALENT LEAGUE BOYS
FIELD
Sam Hurford
First year involved in the State League program from NSW and has fitted into the program well. He was involved in the VFL Accelerator Program this year and umpired six VFL senior matches across the home and away season.
Connor Hawes
Connor umpired the AFL U18 Boys National Championships this year and also debuted in the VFL, umpiring three VFL senior matches during the home and away season. He was involved in the VFL Accelerator Program this season.
Emiel Morvell
Emiel umpired the AFL U18 Boys National Championships this year and has developed his umpiring craft nicely throughout the season. He was also involved in the VFL Accelerator Program this season.
BOUNDARY
Lachlan Higgs
A "veteran" of 59 VFL senior matches, Lachlan made some adjustments to his throw which has really elevated his game. A popular member of the umpiring group and a worthy appointment.
Jesse Wilkie
71 VFL senior matches under his belt and his first state league grand final, although he did officiate in the 2017 AFLW Grand Final. Another ump who has made adjustments to his game in order to improve to the level required to excel. Really hard worker and well deserved.
Mitch Dorling
Second-year umpire who was part of the VFLW Grand Final panel in 2022. Really took his game to another level this year. Has maintained a really good fitness level and improved his throws dramatically. Has a fantastic future.
Harrison Bell
Harrison has had a great start to his state league career. Umpired the NAB League Grand Final in 2022 and also made his senior debut in his first year. Has added to his VFL tally multiple times this year. Harrison has a bright future at this level. He has a very strong throw and moves across the ground really well.
GOAL
James Rizio
James commenced his career with the Eastern Football Netball League and has umpired 21 VFL matches this year. His career stats include 77 VFL matches and 10 VFL finals. James umpired the 2022 VFL Grand Final and also umpired the 2019 NAB League Grand Final.
Brad Kellett
Brad commenced his career with the Southern Umpires Association and has umpired 17 VFL games this year. His career stats include 41 VFL matches and three VFL finals. Brad has had a consistent year behind the goals and will be umpiring his first Coates Talent League Grand Final.
(Pictured above: L-R James Rodwell, James Rizio, Harrison Bell, Mitchell Dorling, Sam Hurford, Connor Hawes, Emiel Morvell, Lachlan Higgs, Jesse Wilkie, Brad Kellett, Scott Simpson)
