After a long pre-season, which has seen some SWFL Umpires officiating every week since Saturday, 25 February 2017, this Saturday eight SWFL Umpires will get the opportunity not afforded to many, by Umpiring an AFL Curtain Raiser fixture at Domain Stadium, prior to Fremantle taking on last years premiers, the Western Bulldogs.
The eight umpires selected will represent a mixture of youth and experience, which also will highlight opportunities for a player to progress to umpiring.
Matt Chernabaeff, who is yet to umpire an official home and away fixture, and last year played for Harvey Brunswick
Field Umpire – Matt ChernabaeffLeschenault, will be one of the three field umpires, after showing great promise in the Scratch Matches, and the Pre-Season Carnival. Chernabaeff was thrilled to be appointed to the match, and despite admitting he still has plenty to learn, is quickly picking up the finer arts of observing the contest instead of being in the contest.
Chernabaeff will be joined by Aaron Andrews and Adam Hauswirth, who both officiated last years League Grand Final, and have both umpired two SWFL League Grand Finals in the past three years.
Likewise, Ben Scott, a first year Boundary Umpire will get his opportunity to run the wide and long expanses of Domain Stadium on Saturday, after some highly promising performances in the pre-season. He will be joined by Lilah Edmonds (second season) and Allivia Pyne who has umpired 168 Games after making her debut in 2005.
The Goal Umpires selected were Katrina Edwards, who last year made history by becoming the first ever female goal umpire to officiate a League Grand Final, and Matt Devenish, who at the age of just 14, will this season undoubtedly by elevated to League fixtures, after an excellent debut season and some very good performances in the Pre-Season.