It’s not an easy job. We hear and read about them all the time. To most people they are just a colour and a number. But, have you ever wondered what makes an AFL umpire tick?

 

The following profiles give us a sneak peak into the life of an AFL umpire.

 

afl.com.au speaks to Mathew Nicholls

I am somewhat ashamed to say that I used to sing along to Bust a Move… Certainly won’t catch me doing that anymore!

Not too often, the shaved/bald head gives me away sometimes though!

Golf, cycling.

When I was umpiring VFL a number of years ago, an AFL player who had been dropped to his club’s VFL team said to me “no wonder you’re in the seconds!” I found the irony of his comment quite amusing and proceeded to not-too subtly reminded him of where he was playing that day…

Plenty!

There was a joke written about me after I didn’t hear the siren in the game down at Launceston in 2005! It certainly wasn’t too funny at the time, but looking back I can have a bit of a laugh at it! Even my mum sent it to me – she somehow had a bit of pride that a joke had been written about her son!? A cartoon in the paper depicting me with a guide dog after that game was also rather amusing given that I have a couple of Labradors at home!

My wife – for putting up with me! She is a tremendous support, as are my family, and that’s who I have the most admiration for.

 

I also admire anyone who has the guts to give umpiring a go and get out onto the ground every weekend, regardless of the level of footy.

The theatrics when Marty Ellis tells a joke are usually funnier than the joke itself, but he still makes me laugh! Shaun Ryan tells a great story.

I once had a full head of hair!

Procurement and Budget officer; currently studying part time for a Bachelor of Business and Commerce

Hosted the family for dinner. Wouldn’t dare cook though!