THE AFL is pleased to announce the umpiring panel for the 2026 Toyota AFL Grand Final between Fremantle and the Brisbane Lions.
Brett Rosebury will umpire his 10th AFL Grand Final alongside Hayden Meyer (third Grand Final), Brendan Hosking (second Grand Final) and Nick Foot (second Grand Final) as the four field umpires. Nathan Williamson has been named as the emergency field umpire.
The four field umpires have officiated a total of 1,418 AFL games between them, including 107 AFL finals and 13 AFL Grand Finals.
Boundary umpires Matt Tomkins (seventh Grand Final), Michael Barlow (fifth Grand Final) will return to the season decider, while Jordan Russell and Benjamin Fely will make their Grand Final debut. Michael Marantelli has been named as the emergency boundary umpire.
Goal umpires Dylan Benwell and Matthew Dervan will officiate their first and fifth AFL Grand Finals, respectively. Steven Piperno has been named as the emergency goal umpire.
AFL Executive General Manager Football Performance Greg Swann said:
"Brett, Hayden, Brendan and Nick have put in the work this season, their selection for the 2026 Toyota AFL Grand Final is a reflection of this and we congratulate them on the honour. I also want to congratulate the boundary and goal umpires selected for this Saturday.
"The game could not happen without our umpires, timekeepers, interchange stewards, shot clock operators, umpire trainers, match managers, ARC officials and ball stewards. We thank every umpire and official who played their part in an AFL game this season."
AFL Head of Officiating Stephen McBurney said:
"The umpires selected to officiate this Saturday have earned the honour and privilege of representing the umpiring group.Â
"The preliminary finals showcased the very best our game has to offer. The intensity of both finals has prepared our umpires for what lies ahead.Â
"For our first time Grand Final umpires, Dylan Benwell, Ben Fely and Jordan Russell, it is the culmination of years of dedication and commitment to their craft. They will be joined by an umpiring panel with the collective experience of 27 Grand Finals to draw upon. We look forward to what promises to be a fitting end to this finals series."
The AFL also acknowledges Neville Nash, who will serve as the final Umpire Ambassador presenting the 2026 AFL Umpire Medals at the Toyota AFL Grand Final, recognising his longstanding contribution to umpiring and the game.
Neville Nash:
- Began umpiring 1967 Â (Bentleigh-McKinnon JFL)
- VFL Reserve Grade 1968-71
- Umpires Advisor VAFA 1985-87
- Director of Umpiring QAFL 1988-98
- Member Umpires Selection Committee AFL 1995-97
- Umpires Advisor Moorabbin Saints JFL
- Umpiring Match Manager AFL 2003
- AFL Victoria Umpire Development Manager, 2001-2017, 2018- current various roles developing young umpires in a number of community football leagues including Yarra Valley JFL, Northern Football Netball League
- VFL premiership matches 1974-1984: 211Â
- VFL finals: 12 inc. 1983 VFL Grand Final
Additional match day officials:
- Match managers:Â Sophia Samartzis and Scott Taylor
- Timekeepers: Andrew Miller and Christopher Howarth-Crewdson
- Interchange Stewards: Adrian Barlow and Stephanie Aiello
- Shot Clock Operator: Eloise Sexton
- Umpire Trainers: James Vakis, Nicky Noble, Lauren Stewart
- Ball Stewards: Tim Wood and Isabel Fraser
- ARC Manager: Tim Neville
- Score Review: David Parker, Ari Miller and Sean Meeking
