THE VFL Umpires Association has named three first-year umpires to take charge of Sunday’s rebel VFLW Grand Final in a huge tick for the development skills of the competition.
Recruits Harry Warmington, Jonathan Clark and Michael Whelan will be blowing their whistles in the decider, with fellow rookie Liam Dye named as the emergency.
Madeleine Lum, Solomon Miesen and Jonathan Peck will be the boundary umpires, while Zak Kenny and Connor Petrie have been picked to wave the flags, with Phil Pettinella to be the emergency goal umpire.
Meet your Grand Final umpires here:
FIELD UMPIRES
Harry Warmington
Age: 25
From: VAFA
VFLW Games: 9
VFLW Finals: 2 (first Grand Final)
It’s Harry’s first year on the VFL Development list and he is a very quick learner. He has improved his umpiring craft immensely throughout the season and is very coachable.
Jonathan Clark
Age: 22
From: VAFA
VFLW Games: 11
VFLW Finals: 2 (first Grand Final)
It’s Jonathan’s first year on the VFL Development list. He had a slow start to the season with an injury but has hit the ground running since his return to umpiring.
Michael Whelan
Age: 22
From: Southern League
VFLW Games: 8
VFLW Finals: 3 (first Grand Final)
It’s also Michaels first year on the VFL Development list and he has adapted well to the new environment. He is a very curious umpire who seeks clarification on things to help his self-development.
Liam Dye (emergency)
Age: 20
From: Essendon District league
VFLW Games: 8
VFLW Finals: 3
Liam is a reasonably quiet guy who has a strong desire to learn and develop his umpiring craft. He is very coachable and has had an impressive start to his first year on the VFL Development list.
BOUNDARY UMPIRES
Madeleine Lum
Age: 29
From: Yarra Ranges Umpires/Outer East League
State League Games: 85 (plus 25 AFLW matches)
State League Finals: 2
Madeleine has been a trailblazer for female umpires, being one of the first to make a state league squad in 2017. She was the first senior-listed female boundary umpire in Queensland, where she completed a four-year stint before returning to Victoria this season. She has shown outstanding dedication to her rehabilitation of multiple injuries.
Solomon Miesen
Age: 20
From: Ballarat Umpires Association
State League Games: 13
State League Finals: 3
This is Solomon’s first year on the State League pathway list. Displays raw speed and is great to watch fly around the park. He is the son of former VFL/AFL Boundary Umpire Paul and has a bright future.
Jonathon Peck
Age: 20
From: Geelong Umpires/AFL Barwon
State League Games: 23
State League Finals: 3
Jonathan has been on the list for a couple of years and took a bit to get going, but the past 12 months have been fantastic after developing a strong throw and learning more about the craft. A tall, athletic guy, he covers the ground well and has been rewarded for hard work and commitment.
GOAL UMPIRES
Zak Kenny
Age: 18
From: Gippsland Umpires Association (Warragul)
State League Games: 18
State League Finals: 2
Zak is a high school student completing year 12 this season. This is his first year with the VFL State League, which he has embraced. Zak has been amazed by the experience and appreciated some incredible opportunities. Zak started as a boundary umpire in 2016 before switching to goal umpiring in 2019.
Connor Petrie
Age: 22
From: Western Region Football League
State League Games: 55-60
State League Grand Finals: 2022 NAB League Girls Grand Final, emergency 2022 VFLW Grand Final
Connor has been umpiring for eight years and has almost 300 games’ experience at all levels. He is a motivated and driven individual, striving to be the best he can for any given situation with the support of many people since he started. With a bit of time and effort, Connor could make the senior AFL goal umpires squad in the future.
Phillip Pettinella (emergency)
Age: 21
From: Northern Football Netball League
State League Games: 45
State League Finals: 7 minor finals, 1 NAB League Girls Grand Final
Phillip is a university student and a passionate sports enthusiast who relishes the adrenaline that comes with challenging himself. Umpiring at VFL level has been an incredible learning experience for Phillip, not only as an umpire but also for personal growth.
