Footy crowds love pointing out umpires’ mistakes, but punters planning on giving AFL Cairns official Mark Mounsey free advice during Saturdays game should save their breath.
“You don’t actually hear it while you’re out there,” Mounsey said over-the-boundary jibes. “I’ve learnt over the years to shut it out. Once you walk out there and lift the ball it’s all business.”
Along with Ben Koch and Warwick Fegan, Mounsey is the field umpire in charge of Saturday’s season decider between Cairns Saints and Port Douglas at Cazalys.
The game will be Mounsey’s first grand final in Cairns, but the Victorian has plenty of experience on the September stage elsewhere.
With seven Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League grand finals on his resume, Mounsey is familiar with the pressure that comes with the biggest game of the year.
“You still get nervous, but it’s a really good feeling. It’s a great buzz,” he said. “Usually you know within yourself if you’ve had a good game or not. You can normally tell by the crowd reaction at halftime and at fulltime.
“You can only call them the way you see it, but everyone always gives it their best and that’s all you can ask for.”
The grand final starts at 3pm.
Last Modified on 06/03/2011 13:08