The South West Football League's field, goal, and boundary umpires were honoured during the Umpires' Association's 2018 awards night on Friday, September 21.
Whilst reflecting upon a fantastic season of football, the association’s best and brightest were rewarded for their contributions to the game.
The umpiring has been of a really high standard this year, our umpiring association is widely regarded as being the best outside of Perth.
- Jason Crowe, SWFL Umpires' Association president.
Michael Hearne claimed the coveted Kevin Nettleton Field Umpire of the Year Award, and was also picked to help oversee Sunday’s league grand final between Bunbury and Donnybrook at Hands Oval.
Zac Peachey was given Boundary Umpire of the Year, before Josh Daniels was honoured with the Ray Dau Goal Umpire of the Year Award.
Lucy Bastin was the recipient of the Ray Pulford Rising Star award, Josh Bennett accepted the Presidents Award, while Robbie Fay collected the Coaches Award.
SWFL Umpires’ Association president Jason Crowe complimented all those who donned the lime greens during the season.
“The umpires doing the grand finals are all highly experienced,” he said.
“The umpiring has been of a really high standard this year, our umpiring association is widely regarded as being the best outside of Perth.”
Field umpires Aaron Andrews and Kevin Hutchins will join Hearne in Sunday’s league decider.
Set to umpire their fourth league grand finals, Hearne and Andrews will move to fourth on the all-time league grand final list.
Peachey will cover his second league grand final, with the game marking fellow boundary umpires Ben Cole and Yarno Pyne’s first.
Jarrad Andrews will star in his eighth consecutive grand final as a boundary umpire.
Daniels and Crowe will serve out their first and 16th grand finals respectively.
Earlier this year, Crowe was celebrated for his 800th South West Football League game.
He and Umpires’ Association secretary Laurie Sutherland each received lifetime memberships on Friday night.
Crowe said the association would strive to “grow and retain” their collection of umpires in 2019.
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