Field umpire Matt Stevic was awarded with his 6th All-Australian award, his 5th in five years.  Matt who umpired in his 6th grand final (the last 5 in a row also) was a “clear winner”, according to AFL Umpire’s coach Hayden Kennedy.

The award was announced at the grand final night cocktail party in front of over 200 umpires, partners and guests who had come from all parts of the globe to celebrate the AFL grand final and the 2018 season.

Matt was selected to officiate at his fifth straight grand final for the AFL’s major event, the West Coast v Collingwood match at the MCG. Stevic lead the field umpires out and bounced the ball to start the grand final.

Later that day the umpires gathered in the rooms and were paid a visit by the West Coast Eagles players including Yarram’s Nathan Vardy who featured in the match for the Eagles, kicking a valuable goal and rucking well against Collingwood’s Brodie Grundy.

In a new initiative this year the umpires who officiated at a grand final receive a medal to commemorate the achievement.

Content above is from articles published by the AFLUA website and the Great Southern Star.

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