THE AFL congratulates boundary umpire Ian Burrows who will officiate his 450th AFL match during the Round 11 Collingwood vs West Coast Eagles game.
A career spanning twenty years, Burrows umpired his first AFL match in 2006, after beginning his umpiring journey with the Yarra Valley Umpires Association in 2001.
Burrows has officiated in ten AFL Grand Finals and been an All Australian Umpire three times.
AFL Head of Officiating, Stephen McBurney said Burrows’ achievement was a tremendous effort.
"Ian’s dedication to the game and consistency at the highest level of boundary umpiring across two decades has been outstanding. Boundary umpiring at the elite level requires speed and endurance. While maintaining his ability to punch out a 2km time trail in 6 minutes, our boundary umpires average 17km per game, so Ian has covered approximately 7633km in his career.
“To be the first boundary umpire to achieve the 450 AFL games milestone is an incredible achievement. Ian has also balanced his umpiring commitments with a successful career in journalism comprising over 18 years service. We look forward to celebrating his achievement in front of a full house at the MCG."
The AFL historian has compiled the following key stats:
Honours in umpiring:
- AFL Grand Final – 2008, 2010 + replay, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2023
- Murray Williams Shield – 2014 and 2016
- All Australian Umpire – 2010, 2012 and 2015
- Yarra Valley Grand Final – 2001
- TAC Cup Grand Finals – 2002, 2003
- VFL Reserves Grand Final – 2004
- Interstate Match, VFL v SANFL – 2005
- VFL Grand Final – 2005
- Bill Sutton Medallion – 2007
