The umpires appointed to officiate the 2024 Coates Talent League Grand Finals at IKON Park have been announced.
Get to know the umpiring panels for the girls and boys’ premiership-deciders on Saturday.
COATES TALENT LEAGUE GIRLS GRAND FINAL
FIELD
Sophia Tozer
Sophia is in her second season on the State League & Talent Pathways (SL&TP) development program, also umpiring in the National Championships this year and last. Sophia has also been elevated on the AFLW list this season. She has umpired eight Coates Talent League Girls matches this season, including two finals.
Josh Hamilton
Josh is in his first season on the SL&TP development program and has shown real potential with his umpiring this year. He is originally from the VAFA and has continued his improvement across the season both on and off filed. Josh has umpired seven Coates Talent League Girls matches this season, including two finals.
Aiden Tester
Aiden is in his first season on the SL&TP development program and has shown real potential with his umpiring this year, coming onto the list a little later than most with three umpires elevated in April. He has umpired 14 Coates Talent League Girls matches this season, including two finals. Aiden has adapted into the group environment well and shown his potential across the season.
Arron Knezevic (emergency)
Arron is in his fourth season on the SL&TP list and has had one of his better seasons since being on the list. He is very coachable and a well-respected member within the group. He had umpired 6 Coates Talent League Girls matches this season, including two finals.
BOUNDARY
Cooper Geall
Cooper, while quiet and unassuming, is an umpire that has consistently performed on the Development Squad. He has allowed his actions to speak for themselves, quietly getting the job done, and done well. His progression directly to the Grand Final after Finals Week 1 is a testament to this, rewarding not only his exceptional performance in finals, but his outstanding work during the pre-season.
Lachlan Bezzina
As a second year umpire on the development squad, Lachie is an umpire who has proven his ability to perform under the toughest of conditions. Most notably, when given the opportunity to prove he belongs at the upper end of the squad, he has done so to the fullest extent. Has been duly rewarded with a well-deserved Grand Final.
Luke Walley
In his first year on the Development Squad, Luke's improvement has been nothing short of astonishing. Eager to learn and get better each week, Luke peaked at the perfect time, becoming a well-rounded umpire and hitting his stride right as September rolled around. This earned him a maiden Grand Final in his first year on the list.
Asha Hinton
Tenacity, persistence and patience embodied, Asha is an umpire that never quits or gives up. Being the first female boundary umpire ever elevated from the VAFA to State League, Asha had to wait 11 years for her opportunity and proved that she fully deserved to be here. She is proof that hard work always pays off, earning herself a Grand Final at State League in her first year.
GOAL
Benjamin Geleit
Ben joined the AFL State League umpiring group from the Southern Football Netball League in 2022 and quickly established himself as a promising umpire. During the 2024 season, his hard work and dedication earned him the opportunity to officiate at the U16 Girls National Championships.
Phillip Pettinella
Phil joined the AFL State League umpiring group from the Northern Football Netball League in 2020 and quickly made his mark. In 2023, he was selected to officiate at the AFL U16 Boys National Championships in Queensland and appointed to the Coates Talent League Girls Grand Final. After another standout season and finals series in 2024, Phil has achieved back-to-back appointments to the Coates Talent League Girls Grand Final, further cementing his reputation as a top-tier umpire.
Zak Kenny (emergency)
COATES TALENT LEAGUE BOYS GRAND FINAL
FIELD
Harry Warmington
Harry is in his second season on the State League & Talent Pathways (SL&TP) development program and umpired the VFLW Grand Final in his first season on list in 2023. He also umpired in the Under 16 Boys National Championships this year on the Gold Coast. He has umpired 14 Coates Talent League Boys matches this season, including two Coates Talent League Boys finals.
Jack Cannon
Jack is in his sixth season on the SL&TP development program and umpired in the Under 18 Boys National Championships as well as doing a Coates Talent League Boys preliminary final in 2023. Jack has umpired 13 Coates Talent League Boys matches this season, including two CTLB Finals.
Liam Dye
Liam is in his second season on the SL&TP development program and was the emergency umpire for the VFLW Grand Final in his first season on list in 2023. Liam umpired in the both the Under 16 Girls and Under 18 Boys National Championships this year. Liam has umpired 16 Coates Talent League Boys matches this season, including two Coates Talent League Boys Finals.
Hayden Pearson (emergency)
Hayden is in his third season on the SL&TP development program and has been on the Accelerator Squad for the past two seasons. Hayden umpired one Coates Talent League Boys final in 2023 and has umpires two this year showing his development and improvement both on and off field.
BOUNDARY
Solomon Miesen
This is Solomon's second year on the development squad and has gone from strength to strength. He had his debut in the VFL and umpired in the National Championships, when he officiated in the Vic Metro vs Vic Country game at Marvel Stadium. After the Coates Talent League Boys Grand Final, he will be umpiring in the Marsh AFL National Futures game at the MCG on Grand Final Day. He is one to watch.
Ben Tingiri
A well liked member of the squad, Ben put in a cracking pre-season that allowed him to really shine throughout the year. He's the quiet achiever on and off the track, with an excellent finals series being rewarded with the Coates Talent League Boys Grand Final.
Lewis Spiker
'Spikes' as he is affectionately known is an umpire that continues to go about his business, day in, day out. A senior umpire, he has adjusted well to the requirements of Coates Talent League Boys football.
Dan Mortlock
As the Development Squad track rep, Dan assists others around the squad and ensures he is upskilling the younger generation. He has been rewarded this season with a VFL debut and had a cracking game at Marvel Stadium for the Vic Country vs Vic Metro game. He has run consistently throughout the Coates Talent League Boys finals series, and is well rewarded with his Grand Final apoointment.
GOAL
Connor Petrie
Connor joined the AFL State League umpiring group from the Western Region Football League in 2022 and quickly made an impact as a goal umpire. His early success saw him officiate the 2022 Coates Talent League Girls Grand Final, followed by the 2023 VFLW Grand Final. Motivated and driven, Connor continuously strives to excel in every situation, supported by a strong network throughout his journey. After yet another standout season, he is set to umpire his third consecutive State League Grand Final, solidifying his place as one of the most reliable umpires in the league.
James Rodwell
James joined the AFL State League umpiring group from the Southern Football Netball League in 2021 and quickly demonstrated his potential. In 2023, he earned the role of emergency goal umpire for the Coates Talent League Boys Grand Final, marking an important milestone in his career.
Cohen Shannon (emergency)
