The umpiring panel for the 2022 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final has been announced.

Casey Demons and Southport Sharks will meet in the premiership-decider at IKON Park on Sunday September 18. The first bounce will take place at 12:50pm.

Tickets for the 2022 Smithy's VFL Grand Final can be purchased at www.intix.com.au/events/vflgrandfinal2022

Continue below to see the umpiring panel for the 2022 Smithy's VFL Grand Final.

FIELD UMPIRES

Andrew Adair
Age: 26
Games: 87 (including NEAFL competition)
Total Finals: 9

Season 2022
Games: 17
Finals: 2

Andrew commenced umpiring in 2011, umpiring in local community football. His talent was quickly identified in 2015, joining the QAFL High Performance Squad, umpiring senior QAFL games. Andrew umpired the U16 National Championships in 2016, as well as the U18 National Championships in 2017. He debuted in the NEAFL in 2016 and was selected as the Grand Final emergency in 2017. Andrew umpired the 2018 and 2019 NEAFL Grand Finals, as well as the 2020 QAFL Grand Final. He also been part of the AFLW umpiring squad, umpiring the 2018 & 2022 AFLW Grand Finals. This year, Andrew received the 2022 VFL Field Umpire of the Year Award.

Matt Young
Age: 30
Games: 161 (including NEAFL competition)
Total Finals: 7

Season 2022
Games: 23
Finals: 3

Matt commenced his umpiring with AFL Brisbane juniors in 2006. In 2012, he was elevated to the NEAFL umpiring squad and debuted in the seniors in the same year. In 2013, he was selected as the emergency umpire to the NEAFL Grand Final. Matt was selected as the umpire with the All-Australian U18 side, touring Europe in 2014. Matt has been a member of the AFLW squad in seasons 2018, 2021 and 2022 (Season 6)

Martin Rodger
Age: 25
Games: 80
Total Finals: 5

Season 2022
Games: 23
Finals: 3

Martin commenced his umpiring with the Northern Football League in 2012. He umpired the 2014 Division 1 Senior Grand Final at 17 years of age. Martin quickly made his way through the umpiring pathway, being selected to participate in the VFL umpiring program at 18 in 2015. He had stellar years in 2019 and 2022, umpiring the Grand Finals, and was named Umpire of the Year in 2019 and 2021. For the past three years Martin has been on the AFL rookie squad, attending AFL coaching every Tuesday and being selected as emergency umpire on many occasions. Martin has also umpired the AFLW in Seasons 1, 4, 5 and 6. He was selected to umpire the inaugural AFLW Grand Final in 2017.

Harry Birch (emergency)
Age: 22
Games: 30
Total Finals: 2

Season 2022
Games: 22
Finals: 3

Harry commenced his umpiring career with the Essendon District Football League in 2012. He umpired the 2017 Premier Reserve Grand Final at 17 years of age. In 2018, he was invited to the VFL development squad and was promoted to the VFL senior squad for season 2021. Harry completed his secondary education at Maribyrnong Sports Academy, participating in an AFL Umpiring Program in his senior years. Harry has had a very consistent season in 2022, and fully deserves his spot on the Grand Final team.

BOUNDARY UMPIRES

Patrick Jackson

This year Patrick has run 14 home-and-away games, as well as the semi and preliminary final. His highlights from this year are an AFLW Grand Final in Adelaide and providing outstanding leadership in the VFL boundary squad. Since re-joining the VFL panel this season, Patrick has shown fantastic leadership in mentoring developing umpires, which has included presenting regularly at coaching sessions. His community umpire club is AFL Canberra

John Cooper

John has run 17 home-and-away games, as well as qualifying final and preliminary finals in season 2022. His highlights from the year are running the AFLW preliminary final and being selected as VFL Boundary Umpire of the Year. John has been a mainstay of the VFL group for 11 years, having run 150 VFL senior games and will run in his third VFL grand final on the weekend. He is a charismatic leader within the group and a fantastic mentor to developing umpires. His community umpire club is the SNFL Umpires.

Ty Duncan

Ty has run 15 VFL home-and-away games, as well as qualifying and preliminary finals this season. His highlights include making an AFL debut and running the AFLW Grand Final. Ty has shown outstanding consistency with his performances this season and has great potential to perform at the highest level. His community umpire club is Sunshine Coast Juniors.

Zac Mousaco

In season 2022, Zac has run 15 VFL home-and-away games, and qualifying and preliminary finals. His highlights include making his VFL senior finals debut and making the AFLW Finals panel. Zac has only been on the VFL senior list for three seasons yet demonstrates incredible potential to combine his upward trajectory to make a debut and long career at the highest level. His community umpire group is the South East Juniors/SUA.

GOAL UMPIRES

Luke Monea

Luke commenced his career with the Essendon District Football League. He has umpired 17 VFL games this year. His career stats include 81 VFL matches and 5 VFL finals. Luke was also announced as the 2022 Goal Umpire of the Year, which demonstrated his consistency throughout the home and away season. Luke also umpired the 2019 NAB League Grand Final.

James Rizio

James commenced his career with the Eastern Football League and has umpired 18 VFL matches this year. His career stats include 55 VFL matches and 6 VFL finals. James has shown great progress in his goal umpiring to date and had a great finals series this year. James also umpired the 2019 NAB League Grand Final.