In terms of overall payments for an entire season at VFL level, boundary umpires receive around 70 per cent of what field umpires receive and goal umpires about 60 per cent.

Umpires at VFL level are constantly being assessed and marked; one mistake can get you “demoted” for a week. They are expected to be at the ground 60 minutes before the game, just as a player at this level would be and, I believe, are under the same amount of pressure, if not more, as players are to perform.

Umpires at VFL level are elite athletes. They are expected to run a two-kilometre time trial in less than seven minutes the first night of pre-season – and training payments haven’t even started at this point. They run approximately 17 kilometres during a game, officiate one of the most subjective games in the world and deal with abuse from the sidelines, all the while working or studying full-time and being expected to umpire at the highest of standards.

Yes, in recent years we have made significant progress in lifting AFL, AFLW and our pathway competitions to elite standards, but we are yet to match this level of support for the game’s officiators.

Our umpires have never complained about their situation because they ultimately do what they do for the love of the game, but this does not mean we should look the other way. Put simply, as the commitment rises, incentives also need to rise, to keep umpires in the game.

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Only 1 per cent of umpires from the development pathway ever make it to AFL level – this means it’s even more important to acknowledge and recognise the great work our umpires do.

Every one of them should feel valued and respected.

Our game doesn’t go ahead without umpires. All clear. Play on.

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