A-D

Bill Blackburn

Bill Blackburn joined the VFL list in 1927 and made his senior debut in Round 1, 1929. In the following six seasons, he gradually built a reputation as an excellent umpire with a high level of fitness. He brooked little dissent from players and enforced a stern discipline on the field during his 189 senior VFL matches

At the height of Bill's career, he was in charge of most of the interstate matches, including Victoria v WA in 1938 and Victoria v SA in 1939, both at the MCG. In 1937, he was invited to travel to Western Australia to umpire that states clash against South Australia – quite an honour given the parochial nature of the times

Appointed to his first final in 1933 and his first Grand Final in 1938, he was the emergency the following season for the Melbourne versus Collingwood Grand Final -- and there was sensation

During the second quarter Alan Coward collided with a player and hit the ground, dislocating his shoulder. Blackburn took over from him, and immediately asserted his presence. While Coward was down, Melbourne had kicked a goal, through Wartman to Truscott to Beames. But Blackburn, to the hoots of derision from Melbourne supporters, disallowed the goal because the injured Coward had not given an all-clear

After retiring, Blackburn took up the role of VFL umpires' coach. As well as coaching the umpires, he became an unofficial ambassador for umpiring

He had made a life-long study of the rules and was always willing to impart his knowledge to other umpires, players, officials or any interested parties. He would travel anywhere at short notice in the interests of football. It was nothing for him to travel 200 miles to lecture to a small country football club and then return home the same night.

As a lecturer, he became famous throughout football circles nationwide and was always in demand for interstate trips

As an umpire and coach for more than a quarter of a century, Blackburn contributed much to Australian football generally and umpiring in particular

President of the VFLUA in 1933, Blackburn was elected Life Member in 1936

Ron Brophy

In a senior VFL career that spanned six seasons Ron Brophy umpired 81 VFL matches including five finals and the epic 1964 VFL Grand Final between Melbourne and Collingwood. Ron Brophy played football in the South Melbourne district until 1950 when an injury ended his playing career. At the suggestion of a mate he took up umpiring to subsidise his weekly salary by officiating in the Sunday Football League that was operating at the time. After some years Brophy joined the VFL umpires and was umpiring all around the state.

Finally promoted regularly to the VFL Reserve Grade, Brophy began to impress the senior selection panel and he made his VFL senior debut in Round 14, 1960 at the Western Oval. Ted Whitten was at the helm of Footscray and no doubt gave Ron some advice as the match progressed. It didn't do much good - the Bulldogs were thrashed.

Two more matches in 1960 and Ron was back to the Reserves. It was round six the next season before he was given another chance. He made the most of it by umpiring every remaining round that year and from that point on was a regular member of the 'big six'.

Ron umpired his first two finals matches in 1963 - the First-Semi and Preliminary Finals but 1964 was to be his best in VFL football.

He umpired all but two rounds in the home and away series and after sharing the finals with great mate, Jeff Crouch, it was clear one of them would umpire the Grand Final. Brophy got the nod from Harry Clayton and went on to umpire one of the great Grand Finals ever with Melbourne beating arch rival Collingwood by hanging grimly onto a four-point lead reached courtesy of an improbable goal by back-pocket Neil Compton.

His last VFL match was one of the most controversial in VFL history - the 1965 Preliminary Final between Essendon and Collingwood.

Ten minutes into the first quarter, with the ball 40 metres up field, something happened on the Essendon half-forward flank and even with 95 000 people in attendance, many of them police, and a multitude of cameras, to this day no one knows how John Somerville came to be lying concussed and unconscious at the feet of Magpie Duncan Wright.

Despite his season's record and keeping a lid on the potential powder keg that followed the Somerville 'faint' Brophy was overlooked for the 1965 Grand Final and, after a clash with Harry Clayton over the matter, retired and did not umpire again.

Of that retirement, journalist Brian Hansen wrote, "Brophy left the game at the pinnacle of his career and no umpire left the game with more accolades from players and coaches. Ron Brophy was made a Life Member of the then VFLUA in 1964 having served on the Social Committee in 1960 to 1962 seasons and later on the Executive Committee. He received a Special Award for services by a Life Member to the VFLUA and was a regular and enthusiastic attendee at the AFL Grand Final Umpires' Dinner. A kind man with a strong personality, 'Broph' was not afraid to give you his opinion on anything.

Roly Caird

Roly Caird was among the first group of goal umpires specifically promoted from the VFL Reserve Grade to fill vacancies on the senior list. Prior to 1955 it was common practice for former field and boundary umpires to be immediately transferred to the goals despite having no experience in the 'trade'. Caird made his VFL senior debut in round one 1955 at Princes Park where Carlton thrashed a hapless North Melbourne. The end of the following season saw Roly appointed to his first finals match – the first semi final between Footscray and Geelong.

It was one of the lowest scoring finals in years with neither side capable of goaling in the final quarter. Nevertheless it was exciting as they come with the Doggies scoring three late behinds to break a 15 minute deadlock and steal victory.

Over the next three seasons Caird worked his way through the finals series getting closer to the last week in September and in 1959 he was appointed to the Grand Final. Melbourne toweled up the Dons in a final quarter blitz but it was a day of highlights with Ron Barassi and Bob Johnson in mercurial form.

The 1960 Preliminary was another of Caird's cracking finals. Played in mud and slush, Fitzroy and Collingwood slugged it out and at three quarter time the Lions led by eight points. Collingwood surged home at Roly's end to snatch a five point victory.

It was to be Caird's last final for ten years despite regularly umpiring in the home and away series. He umpired the 1965 Victoria v. South Australia clash – his third interstate appointment – and umpired some of the great full forwards in VFL history such as Hudson, McKenna and Wade. Caird's final VFL season was the first to feature matches at VFL Park Waverley and Roly umpired there on three occasions. His final match was the First Semi Final that year, notable for the fact that it was Bobby Skilton's only final and despite being sentimental favorites his Swans were well beaten by St.Kilda.

A regular member of the VFLUA Executive Committee, Caird became a Life member of the VFLUA in 1966

Gavin Dore

In 2004 Gavin Dore notched up 300 AFL matches in a career that began way back in 1986 and has seen some interruptions. In fact, when quizzed about whether achieving 300 was always going to be possible, Gavin replies, “Injuries have cost me about 80 games over the past 20 years. But, thanks to the great work of our physios, I've bounced back -- excuse the pun!”

Gavin joined the West Gippsland Umpires’ Association in 1979, aged 18, and moved to the VFL Reserve Grade three years later. He was promoted to the senior list in 1984 and, after a number of matches in both the VFL Reserve Grade and at various country centres, debuted in the VFL in 1986. His first VFL match was part of round six and featured Fitzroy and Richmond. By season’s end, Gavin had umpired eight more senior matches.

The following season built on this success and Gavin umpired twenty-two home and away matches. That year’s Qualifying Final was notable for Warwick Capper’s 100th goal for Sydney, Hawthorn’s ninety-nine point victory, and it was also the match in which Gavin made his finals’ debut. The future looked extremely promising until an arm injury over the summer shattered any hopes of umpiring for an extended period. In fact, it was 1990 before Gavin would make it back to the newly named Australian Football League seniors.

He was immediately back into the swing of things and, in 1991, came within an ace of the Grand Final after a strong season.

Injury intervened again in 1992. However, another frustrating year out of football was followed by more success in 1993 with an Elimination Final and, from that point on, Gavin went from strength to strength. He umpired finals in 1994 and 1995 and, in.

the AFL’s Centenary Year of 1996, he was appointed to the Centenary Grand Final. It was a landmark year in a number of ways.

“I took 1996 off from work and went back to university to do my Dip Ed. This allowed me to really focus and concentrate on umpiring.” That concentration also included the Presidency of the AFL Umpires’ Association during the year. Now teaching at Rowville Secondary College, the year off work was a good move both on and off the field.

Since the Centenary Grand Final, great form and no injuries have seen Gavin fly through each season accumulating matches at an average of twenty-two per year and, at the same time, accumulate other honours. He had already umpired two State of Origin matches and, with the League’s international exposure, he has benefited from overseas exhibition matches on four occasions, representing his country with distinction on each occasion. In 1993Gavin received AFLUA Life Membership.

A career spanning almost 19 years has many inspirations, and Gavin’s is no different.

“Fellow umpire Rob Schreiber was a great influence when I first began in 1979 at the West Gippsland Umpires Association”, he recalls. “John Sutcliffe and Don Casey on the VFL Reserve Grade; Bill Deller, Jeff Crouch, Kevin Smith, Glenn James and Ian Robinson when I first joined the senior list in 1984; and, since then, David Levens, Rowan Sawers, Peter Schwab and Jeff Gieschen have all had some influence in the later years. Certainly my wife Jenny and the kids, Cameron, Rebecca, Nicholas and Thomas, have been a great support.” That support was really needed last year. With less than ten matches to go to achieve the 300, Gavin was knocked from his bike while out training on the road. The resultant injury set him back for most of the season. When he returned towards the end of the year, he was cruelly injured in Brisbane and the pain of not just the injury but of the frustration of again finishing the year hurt was evident as he sat on the Gabba bench.

To have missed so many matches on account of injury must have been exasperating, but Gavin is philosophical about the vagaries of football and life. When asked about how he has overcome the various obstacles he has faced, Gavin replies: “I work hard on the things that need improvement, seek advice from those who have 'been there' and have a full belief in myself and my abilities. Only worry about those things in your control.”

While it is a great personal milestone, completing 300 matches also qualifies field umpires for Life Membership of the AFL. Early last year, Gavin was due to receive this accolade at the season launch when world affairs intruded and the dinner at Federation Square was cancelled as a result of an anticipated anti-war protest.

Nevertheless, the timing of the presentation does not change Gavin’s feelings about the honour.

“It means recognition of a lot of hard work put into the game over a long period of time. It certainly has been a big part of my life.”

Gavin’s pride in his umpiring colleagues is clear. “I do believe the 2004 list is a very close group of guys and that we feed off each other to get the best out of ourselves and the group.” It is a reciprocated feeling summed up by colleague Stuart Wenn: “Gavin has stood the test of time. He is a quiet achiever who is extremely personable and, because of this, is highly regarded by the football community.”

There is no greater recognition for any umpire than to be held in the highest esteem by both colleagues and the game.