WFL Record 13.indd - Western Region Football League

The WRFL covers the greater part of the
Western Suburbs with the competing clubs
dotted here and there. The area involved
stretches from as far as Coburg to Wyndhamvale
and then from Flemington to Williamstown. Even
so, there is often not a lot of travel involved as many
clubs are close neighbours with others. The best
example of this is the conglomerate of Sunshine
clubs comprising Sunshine, North Sunshine and
Sunshine Heights. Very close by are both Braybrook
and Albion. North Footscray, Spotswood, Yarraville
Seddon and Parkside aren’t that far away from them
either. This means that often it is only a short hike
to the venue when your team is drawn to play away.
The same can be said about umpires and umpiring.
Nearly everyone lives close to a particular ground
and so some umpires are eager to be given games at
that venue. It doesn’t always work like that. Goalie
John Sutton’s house backs onto the Croft Reserve
ground but he was umpiring for over fi ve seasons
before he was given a game at that venue. Even
though he could walk out through the back gate and
walk across the oval to the clubrooms he still chose
to drive around and into the car park.
Lots of the umpires who live down in Hoppers
Crossing and Werribee are very keen to umpire
at Hogans Road, Honour Avenue or Kookaburra
Avenue. It does save some time, effort and money
spent on petrol.
Just the other week a team of umpires went all the
way out to Coburg. Out of the ten umpires who
offi ciated there that day, four lived in Caroline
Springs, one hailed from North Sunshine while the
others came from Yarraville, Kingsville, Maidstone,
Laverton and Hoppers Crossing respectively.
That all added up to a fair number of kilometers
between them.
UMPIRES CORNER
By Graeme Hodgart
Goal Umpire Jarrod Wright celebrate his fi ftieth
Division One game this weekend
It was interesting to note that one of them missed a
turn off from the freeway and kept motoring along
but began to become a little uneasy when the next
sign post indicated that Greensborough was looming
up ahead. That’s what happens when those residing
in the west do not venture too far away. Luckily
there was enough time for that certain umpire to
enjoy the extra kilometers and still make it to his
game with plenty of time up his sleeve.
Of course, when you mention the aspect of travel,
there are those clubs who are situated on the far
boundaries of the area that the WRFL covers. Their
players, offi cials and supporters do have the job of
covering many kilometers practically every second
week to go to the away venues.
Hopefully, this weekend, everyone who is facing
a little bit of travel, can do so without getting lost
and not touring too far out of their way but also
arrive safely and enjoy the hospitality of their
opposing clubs. Also, spare a thought for the
umpires, who may, at the end of a long hard game,
have a lengthy trip home. Try to make their day a
good one and surprise them by giving them some
encouraging support.
TRIBUNAL RESULTS (9TH/10TH JULY)
NAME CLUB GRADE CHARGE RESULT
Tyler Henry Altona Div1 (Sen) Disputing An Umpires Decision 2 Matches
Paul Newton Coburg Districts Div 2 (Sen) Striking Reprimand
Simon Howlett Sunshine Div 1 (Res) Striking 2 Mathes
Dylan Ayton Spotswood Div 1 (Sen) Unsatisfactory Evidence Appeal Upheld
23 WRFL FOOTY RECORD