Victorian Football Umpires' Association

🎉ROUND 8 & 9 MILESTONES 🎉

Lachlan Higgs (B) ~ 100 VFL matches
16-May-26, St Kilda v. Casey (Moorabbin)

Connor Hawes (F) ~ 50 VFL matches
16-May-26, Carlton v. Footscray (Princes Park)

Sam Hurford (F) ~ 50 VFL matches
23-May-26, Richmond v. Essendon (Windy Hill)

Benjamin Geleit (G) ~ First VFL match
23-May-26, Richmond v. Essendon (Windy Hill)

Emily Best (B) ~ First VFL match
24-May-26, Coburg v. Carlton (Coburg)

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🎉ROUND MILESTONES 🎉

Lachlan Wright (B) ~ 50 VFL matches
09-May-26, Williamstown v. Richmond (Williamstown)

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🎉ROUND MILESTONES 🎉

Ian Herman (F) ~ 50 Boys Talent League matches
10-May-26, Western Jets v. Murray Bushrangers (Werribee)

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🎉ROUND MILESTONES 🎉

Kaitlin Barr (B) ~ 50 VFL matches
02-May-26, Carlton v. St Kilda (Princes Park)

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This ANZAC Round, we don’t just remember history — we feel it.

We feel it in the silence before the first throw up,
in the stillness of a moment’s reflection,
in the understanding that the game we love was once left behind by those who chose something greater.

Umpires, like so many Australians, answered the call.

Men like Charles “Charlie” Brownlow, whose name now lives on in football’s highest honour, once traded the field for service — leading with quiet strength, both in the game and beyond it.

Haydn Bunton Sr., a legend of the sport, carried that same spirit into wartime — a reminder that greatness is not just measured in moments of brilliance, but in moments of sacrifice.

And then there are those like Norman Maxwell — a boundary umpire who never came home. His story, like so many others, is a powerful reminder that behind every name is a life given, a future lost, and a sacrifice we can never fully repay.

Across distant shores — from Gallipoli to the Western Front — umpires stood side by side with their fellow Australians. In the harshest conditions, they held onto the values the game had taught them: fairness, resilience, and mateship.

Even there, football found a way.
A kick, a whistle, a moment of normality — keeping spirits alive when it mattered most.

That is the ANZAC spirit.
Not just courage in battle, but connection, sacrifice, and looking after the person beside you.

This weekend, as we take to the field, we do so because they once stepped away from it.

We remember those who served.
We honour those who sacrificed.
We carry forward the spirit they left behind.

Lest we forget.

🎉ROUND MILESTONES 🎉

Alysha Ramsay (F) ~ First VFL match
17-Apr-26, Sydney v. GWS Giants (SCG)

Phillip Pettinella (G) ~ First VFL match
18-Apr-26, Werribee v. Frankston (Werribee)

Brady Gutbier (G) ~ 50 Boys Talent League matches
18-Apr-26, Oakleigh Chargers v. Tasmania Devils

Track all our member milestones on our website 💻

Updated State Game Appointments 🔥

A huge congratulations to our VFUA members selected for the VFL & VFLW State Games. An incredible opportunity to perform on the big stage while working alongside the SANFL umpiring group, sharing knowledge and continuing to grow our craft.

Experiences like this lift standards and strengthen the umpiring community across leagues. Proud to see our group representing 👏

🎉ROUND MILESTONES 🎉

Lachlan Flinn (F) ~ 50 Boys Talent League matches
03-Apr-26, Sandringham v. Dandenong (Moorabbin)

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There are 10 Easter eggs hidden in this photo, but can you find them all? 👀🐣

Drop a comment saying “found” if you spot every single one!

Happy Easter from the VFUA 🐰✨

Locked in for 2026 🔒

Our key VFUA events are set for the year ahead. Please note all events listed are invite only and exclusive to members.

Make sure you keep an eye on your emails and notifications for ticket releases and event details throughout the season so you don’t miss out.

We can’t wait to see you there 👏