Field umpire Ben Lehner has been named to officiate at his fourth consecutive Tasmanian State League (TSL) Grand Final when South Launceston meets Burnie at Aurora Stadium this Saturday, September 21.
Making his Grand Final debut, 27 year-old Joel Harris and 23 year-old Matt Clarke doing his second TSL Grand Final, will join Lehner in the middle.
Boundary umpires Paul Bidgood, Adam Reardon, Joshua Enniss have been named for their third TSL Grand Final. Dean Picone will join them in his second premiership decider.
Goal umpire Mark Ensbey is another named for a third TSL Grand Final. He will be partnered in the goals by Craig Geeves.
Nic Saltmarsh (field) and Michael White (goal) have been named as emergencies.
State Umpiring Manager/Coach, Mike Brown, congratulated the umpires on their appointment for the biggest day of the season.
“Importantly, all officiating field, boundary and goal umpires may be given an opportunity to trial for the AFL Umpires list as a result of their involvement on our Grand Final day,” Brown said.
“Due to the Tasmanian State League, our umpires now have a direct pathway through to the AFL. Members of the AFL Umpiring Department will view the Grand Final and depending on the performances may make invitations to individual umpires.”
Harris has also been named the RACT Insurance State League Field Umpire of the Year.
“Joel has had a tremendous season and has officiated in 21 TSL Senior matches, including two finals,” Brown said.
“Joel’s fitness, commitment and professionalism are outstanding and his performances throughout the season have been at a consistently high standard, which has culminated in him winning this award."
Brown made special mention of the achievement of Lehner.
“Although still only 25 years old, Ben is very experienced, having umpired for ten years after commencing when he was only 16,” Brown said.
"Ben has already been appointed to over 100 TSL Senior matches, including 14 finals."
“After last year’s Grand Final Ben trialled and was subsequently selected onto the AFL Supplementary List. During the season he was emergency field umpire for 6 AFL matches. He now has excellent prospects of achieving his ambition of making the AFL list."
2013 RACT Insurance State League Grand Final Senior Umpires
Field
Joel Harris – age 27
Matt Clarke – age 23
Ben Lehner - age 25
Boundary
Joshua Enniss - age 23
Paul Bidgood – age 40
Adam Reardon – age 21
Dean Picone – age 23
Goal
Mark Ensbey – age 33
Craig Geeves – age 44
Emergency Field
Nic Saltmarsh - age 22
Emergency Goal
Michael White – age 45
Last Modified on 18/09/2013 11:47