Jordan Andrews pictured in his first AFL game in 2015.
- Chris Yeend
Former RDFNL boundary and field umpire Jordan Andrews is set to be part of an historic event when Gold Coast and Port Adelaide play off in Shanghai, China for the first AFL game to be played for points outside Australian and New Zealand.
Andrews will officiate on the boundary in the match that takes place on Sunday as he is fast becoming one of the more Senior boundary umpires in the AFL.
24-year-old Andrews made his debut on the boundary in 2015, in an uninspiring clash between the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda. Since then, he gained regular selection in matches last year; and is now umpiring predominantly Friday night and 3.20pm matches on Sunday; showcasing just how well he has developed in his third season on an AFL list.
Andrews is originally from Sunbury; and joined the Riddell Umpires Association as a 14-year-old on the boundary. He played more than 100 games for the Sunbury Lions at junior level and after winning selection in the Calder Cannons Under 15s squad, soon realised that he wasn't going to make it as a footballer in the AFL.
He made the first of back-to-back Senior grand final appearances in the RDFNL in just his second year, 2008. He was called up to the VFL at the end of his third season as an 18-year-old; and after 81 VFL and 11 TAC Cup games (including numerous Grand finals), he made his debut.
Andrews is very driven, level headed and committed to getting the best out of himself and is a fine example that if you work hard; and believe in yourself; you will achieve great things.
Andrews' call-up to the AFL has created a pathway for others in the RUA to step up. Kyle Fisher and Jesse Wilkie are currently on the VFL list after coming through the Association on the boundary. The pair umpired in the first ever AFLW Grand Final earlier this year.
Last Modified on 11/05/2017 10:14