Matt Stevic and Simon Meredith during the 2024 AFL Grand Final Parade on September 27, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

The AFL congratulates field umpires Simon Meredith and Matt Stevic who will both officiate their 500th AFL matches this season.

Simon Meredith will officiate his in Opening Round, followed by Matt Stevic who will officiate his in round one.

A career spanning more than 20 years, Meredith umpired his first AFL match in 2004, when he took to the field for North Melbourne v Carlton clash, after beginning his umpiring journey with Southern Metro Junior Football league and Victoria Amateurs Football Association in 1989.

Meredith has officiated in nine AFL Grand Finals and been an AFL All Australian umpire.

Stevic's career also follows more than 20 years of experience with his first AFL match in 2004, Western Bulldogs v West Coast Eagles. Stevic's career commenced with the West Gippsland Umpires Association in 1991.

Stevic has officiated twelve AFL Grand Finals and received the Umpire of the Year (Bishop Shield) in 2015 and 2017. Stevic has been named AFL All Australian umpire eight times.

AFL Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Dillon said that both Simon and Matt's achievements were a tremendous effort.

"Simon and Matt have both shown such dedication to the game, to see both Umpires reach 500 games after debuting in the same year and still be performing at such a high level is an unbelievable milestone, and testament to their commitment to the craft.

"On behalf of the AFL, I'd like to congratulate both Simon and Matt on their wonderful achievements and look forward to seeing them both across Opening Round and Round One in what will be a memorable occasion for all."

AFL Head of Officiating Stephen McBurney congratulated Simon and Matt on their momentous milestone.

Simon and Matt have both umpired at the highest level for 20 years. Remarkably, they umpired their first game in the same round of 2004, then umpired their first Grand Final together in 2012. Both umpired the 2024 Grand Final and will achieve the 500 game milestones on successive weekends," Mr McBurney said.

"They will join Shane McInerney and Brett Rosebury in a very exclusive club of 4 umpires to have achieved the 500-game milestone. We applaud them on this amazing accomplishment and thank them for their contribution to our great game."

The AFL historian has compiled the following key stats:

Matt Stevic

  • Shirt Number: 9
  • Heritage Number: 397
  • First AFL Match: 2004, Western Bulldogs v West Coast Eagles
  • 450th AFL Match: 2022, Preliminary Final, Sydney v Collingwood (at SCG)
  • Commenced umpiring career with: West Gippsland Umpires Association – 1991
  • Honours in umpiring:
    • AFL Grand Final – 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024
    • AFL Finals – 60
    • Umpire of the Year (Bishop Shield) – 2015 and 2017
    • AFL All Australian umpire – 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2024
    • VFL Grand Final – 2003
    • U17 international series – 2004
    • International Rules series umpire – 2013

Simon Meredith

  • Shirt Number: 21
  • Heritage Number: 398
  • 1st AFL Match: 2004, North Melbourne v Carlton
  • 450th AFL Match: Round 8, 2023, Carlton v Brisbane (Marvel Stadium)
  • Commenced umpiring career with: SMJFL and VAFA – 1989
  • Honours in umpiring:
    • All-Australian Field Umpire – 2022
    • AFL Grand Final – 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024
    • AFL Finals – 51
    • VFL Grand Final – 2003
    • International Rules series umpire – 2014