The AFL is pleased to confirm five umpires have been elevated to the AFL Umpires List ahead of the 2027 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.
Field umpires Sam Ferguson and Sam Whetton, boundary umpires Kaitlin Barr and Harrison Hansford, and goal umpire Luke Caifano will join the AFL list for 2027.
Hansford joins the AFL boundary umpiring list after being named the VFL Boundary Umpire of the Year for 2026, while Whetton will join his brother and current AFL field umpire Alex Whetton on the AFL list.
Barr earns elevation to the boundary umpiring list after performing strongly in three AFL matches across the past two seasons, including one match in 2025 and two appearances as an injury replacement in 2026. A secondary school teacher at Camberwell Girls Grammar School, Barr was surprised with news of her elevation at the school.
Ferguson's elevation follows a journey from Humpty Doo in the Northern Territory to Melbourne to pursue umpiring at the highest level. Ferguson umpired the final three rounds of the 2026 AFL season as an injury replacement and impressed with his performances.
Perth-based goal umpire Caifano has officiated in four WAFL Grand Finals and will join the AFL goal umpiring list, which will comprise 25 umpires in 2027.
AFL Head of Officiating Stephen McBurney congratulated the five umpires on their elevation.
"Earning a coveted place on the AFL Umpires List is a significant achievement. Our five new umpires have dedicated themselves to their craft over a number of years.
"We are committed to recruiting the best umpires from across Australia to umpire our national game.
"Sam Whetton has umpired in Queensland and joins his brother Alex on the AFL list. Sam Ferguson hails from Humpty Doo in the Northern Territory and moved to Melbourne to pursue his umpiring dream. Harrison Hansford is a product of our NSW boundary umpiring factory and joins an elite group in that State. Kaitlin Barr has come through the VFL and AFLW in Melbourne to be the first woman in 130 years to earn a boundary umpire contract in the VFL/AFL competition. Luke Caifano has earned his spot in WA with four successive WAFL Grand Finals. This group is a great reflection of the umpiring talent developing across the country.
"We look forward to welcoming them into the AFL program and seeing them continue their development ahead of the 2027 season."
The AFL also acknowledges and thanks field umpires Mat Nicholls and Paul Rebeschini, boundary umpires David Wood and Adam Coote, and goal umpires Brett Rogers, Peter Challen, Cal Leonard and Jason Yazdani for their contribution to umpiring at the elite level, with each departing the AFL Umpiring List ahead of the 2027 season.
The AFL is delighted to welcome back former AFL Grand Final umpires Robert Findlay and Chelsea Roffey, who will return to the field and goal umpiring groups respectively following 12 months of leave. Finally, the AFL also wishes Eleni Tee and her family all the very best as she takes parental leave during the 2027 season.
2027 AFL Umpires List additions
Field umpires
Sam Whetton, Queensland
Sam Ferguson, Victoria, via Northern Territory
Boundary umpires
Kaitlin Barr, Victoria
Harrison Hansford, New South Wales
Goal umpire
Luke Caifano, Western Australia
