Victorian Football Umpires' Association

🏆 AFL Debut 🏆

Congratulations to Sam Ferguson on making his AFL debut, becoming the first umpire from the Northern Territory to officiate at the AFL level in 24 years.

This is a historic achievement, not only for Sam, but for football and umpiring in the Northern Territory. His journey is a testament to years of dedication, resilience and hard work, inspiring the next generation of umpires to dream big.

Everyone at the VFUA is incredibly proud of this well deserved milestone and wishes Sam every success as he begins his AFL career.

Congratulations, Sam! 👏🟢⚪

📣 SAVE THE DATES 📣

There’s plenty happening as we head towards the end of the VFL season!

🏅 VFUA Mini Olympics
📅 Tuesday 15 September

🎉 VFL Grand Final After Party
📅 Sunday 20 September

Whether you’re looking to compete, celebrate, or simply catch up with fellow members, make sure to lock these dates into your calendar.

More information on both events will be shared soon, with Grand Final After Party details available on the Members Only page.

We can’t wait to see you there! 💙💛

🎉MONTHLY MILESTONES 🎉

Josh Dudman Doyle (G) ~ 50 VFL matches
21-Jun-26, St Kilda v. Footscray

Scott Simpson (F) ~ 50 VFL matches
28-Jun-26, Port Melbourne v. Gold Coast (Port Melbourne)

Jack Stelfox (B) ~ First VFL match
04-Jul-26, Richmond v. Carlton (Princes Park)

Josh Rofe (B) ~ First VFL match
05-Jul-26, Essendon v. St Kilda (Windy Hill)

Emiel Morvell (F) ~ 50 VFL matches
12-Jul-26, Box Hill v. Carlton (Box Hill)

Track all our member milestones on our website 💻

🎉 MILESTONES 🎉

John Varker (G) ~ 150 VFL matches
14-Jun-26, North Melbourne v. St Kilda (Arden Street)

Mitchell Dorling (B) ~ 50 VFL matches
14-Jun-26, Casey v. Essendon

Kyle Fisher (B) ~ 100 VFL matches
21-Jun-26, Richmond v. North Melbourne (Port Melbourne)

Nick Scott (F) ~ 100 VFL matches
21-Jun-26, Coburg v. Essendon

Jack Stammers (G) ~ 100 VFL matches
28-Jun-26, North Melbourne v. Essendon

Track all our member milestones on our website 💻

Not many make it to 100.

Very few reach 200.

Andrew Talbot is the first umpire in VFL history to reach 300. 🏆

A career built on commitment, resilience, excellence and an unmatched passion for the game.

For over two decades, Talbo has dedicated himself to football, earning the respect of players, coaches, administrators and fellow umpires alike. From record-breaker to mentor, leader and now VFUA President, his impact extends far beyond the whistle.

Today we celebrate more than 300 matches.

We celebrate a legacy.

Congratulations Talbo. A truly historic milestone.

🎉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)

Track all our member milestones on our website 💻

🎉ROUND MILESTONES 🎉

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

Track all our member milestones on our website 💻

🎉ROUND MILESTONES 🎉

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

Track all our member milestones on our website 💻

🎉ROUND MILESTONES 🎉

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

Track all our member milestones on our website 💻

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.