TOP MAN IN WHITE IS VAFA ALUM

CONGRATS CHRIS

CHRIS Donlon has completed what would be AFL field-umpiring’s grand slam. Officiating in Saturday’s grand final at the MCG this Saturday, the Aspendale man added to his TAC Under-18 and VFL grand finals. These three performances embrace football’s three traditional tiers of juniors, reserves (VFL) and seniors (AFL).

Donlon’s journey is copy book: from outstanding junior umpire with the MSJFL, to the VAFA, then to the VFL, and finally, the AFL. Chris believes the two seasons umpiring at the VAFA has stood him in good stead to embrace the challenge of umpiring at the highest level.

Chris Donlon
Shirt Number: 1
AFL Debut: Round 5, Hawthorn v Brisbane, MCG, 2005
AFL Matches: 135
AFL Finals: 5
AFL Grand Finals: 1 – 2011
AFL National U16 Championships, 1999
U18 Championships, 2000
Umpiring Pathway to the AFL: 

• Moorabbin Saints Junior Football League, 3 years between 1989-1994
• Victorian Amateur Football Association, 1995-1996
• Victorian Football League 1997-2004, (VFL Grand Final, 2004)

Career Highlights:

• First AFL game 
• VFL Grand Final 2004 

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23.9.11
A number of former Ammo umpires are featuring in this week’s VFL  and TAC Cup Grand Finals.
The VFL Grand Final umpiring panel includes Matthew Jenkinson on the boundary and Anthony Kyrkou and Steve Piperno in the goals.
Two graduates from the VAFA will officiate at the TAC Grand Final. Nick Brown, recruited by the VFL last year,will be a field umpire, while Michael O’Donnell will be waving the flags. Congrats to both.
Once again, umpires properly trained in the VAFA under Brian Goodman and his team come to the fore.