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Australian Football Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame Umpires
In 1996, the AFL announced 136 inductees into the Australian Football Hall of Fame. These individual had made their names in the AFL/VFL, in South Australia and in Western Australia and had been selected by the Australian Football Hall of Fame committee.
Ten umpires were inducted in that first year on the basis of their service to the game. Eight were from Victoria and one each from Western Australia and South Australia
Aplin's sometimes controversial 310 SANFL game career included 10 grand finals. He was the regular 'independent' umpire in the WA v Victoria clashes. SANFL umpire's coach from 1955 to 1958. Also umpired in the SA amateur competition. Became a radio and television broadcaster after retirement.
Umpiring career: 1939-1955
Games: 310 Grand Finals: 10
The VFL's first 'Prince of Umpires'. Moving from the VFA to the newly formed VFL, he officiated in round one, 1897, and retired in 1905 after 147 matches including seven Grand Finals. Moved to Western Australia where he coached East Perth in 1909 then returned to umpiring, adding 120 games and three WAFL grand finals to his senior total before retiring in 1920.
Umpiring career: 1897-1905
Games: 147 Finals: 17 Grand Finals: 7 (1898, 1899, 1900, 1901, 1902, 1904, 1905)
Played in 1953 Melbourne under-19s premiership and for Sandringham in the VFA before umpiring five Grand Finals in a 10-season career. Known for his excellent rapport with players. Became VFL umpires' advisor after retiring. Victorian Father of the Year in 1989 and Director of Royal Children's Hospital Appeal for 20 years.
Umpiring career: 1961-1970
Games: 186 Finals: 15 Grand Finals: 5 (1963, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969)
Despite a severe mid-career back injury, Deller compiled an impressive record. Umpired Grand Finals in both the one and two-umpire system. Immediately after retirement he was appointed part-time VFL director of umpiring and in 1987 became full-time AFL national director of umpiring. Awarded an OAM for services to umpiring.
Umpiring career: 1967-1981
Games: 251 Finals: 20 Grand Finals: 5 (1972, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980)
Both before and after World War I, Elder was the VFL's senior umpire. Still holds the finals record (39 matches) and Grand Finals record (10). Umpires' advisor in 1923.
Umpiring career: 1906-1922
Games: 295 Finals: 39 Grand Finals: 10 (1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1918, 1919, 1920, 1922)
Recruited to the VFL from the VFA in 1917 after umpiring the 1914 Grand Final, McMurray had started umpiring in junior competitions aged 16. Record was unrivalled between 1922 and 1928 then moved to Tasmania to umpire in 1929. The first umpire to officiate in 300 matches. Retired in 1936.
Umpiring career: 1917-1936
Games: 303 Finals: 23 Grand Finals: 6 (1921, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928)
Started umpiring in the Melbourne Boy's Club Association and umpired in the VFL in 1941 and 1942 before serving in the army. Rejoined the VFL in 1946 and umpired six Grand Finals (including both in 1948).
Umpiring career: 1941-1955
Games: 216 Finals: 16 Grand Finals: 6 (1948 (x2), 1949, 1950, 1953, 1954)
Held the VFL match record of 353 games from his retirement in 1987 until 1995. His nine Grand Finals were umpired in both the one and two-umpire system and he was an AFL umpires' observer. He was deeply involved involved in the implementation of the two umpire system.
Umpiring career: 1971-1987
Games: 353 Finals: 35 Grand Finals: 9 (1973, 1974, 1977 (2), 1978, 1980, 1981, 1985, 1987)
Umpired irregularly until the 1929 season during which he became an automatic weekly selection until he retired. Unparalleled seven successive Grand Finals as field umpire.
Umpiring career: 1921-1935
Games: 157 Finals: 19 Grand Finals: 7 (1929, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935)
Provided 38 years of service to the WAFL as an umpire, player and administrator. Umpired three WAFL grand finals and was WAFL umpires' advisor from 1972 to 1979 and chairman of the WAFL Umpires Board in 1981 and 1982.
Umpiring career: 1963-1970
Games: 141 Grand Finals: 3 (1963, 1967, 1968)
