Glendinning, Margetts receive AFL life membershipWednesday, January 25, 2017 - 10:36 AM

1983 Brownlow Medallist and inaugural West Coast Eagles Captain Ross Glendinning and Perth-based AFL umpire Dean Margetts have both been honoured with AFL life membership.

Having notched 300 games of officiating at the elite level, including 277 premiership and 35 pre-season games, Margetts will be inducted as a life member along with Glendinning and nine others at the 2017 Annual General Meeting in March, after having their awards confirmed by the AFL Commission.

Margetts said it was a true honour to be recognsied by the AFL.

“It means a lot to be recognised by the AFL in this way and I think it is something you never consider when you commence your career,” Margetts said.

“To see the list of wonderful players and people receiving life membership makes the acknowledgement that much more special.”

Glendinning was awarded life membership under the provision of ‘Special Service to the Game’ along with dual Essendon Premiership player and long-time club administrator John Birt, and former AFL Commissioner Sam Mostyn.

WA Football Commission Chief Executive Officer Gavin Taylor congratulated both Glendinning and Margetts on receiving the honour.

“It’s great to see two West Australians receive this honour and their dedication to the game makes them thoroughly deserving of this award,” Taylor said.

“To still have both individuals involved and contributing to our game today in their respective roles shows a true commitment to the highly valued work they achieve in the Australian Football Rules community.”

Players and umpires who also qualified after having reached 300 total AFL games include Gary Ablett junior, Matthew Boyd, Luke Hodge, Jarrad McVeigh, Simon Meredith, Matthew Nicholls and Leigh Montagna.

AFL Chief Executive Officer Gillon McLachlan said the Commission congratulated every individual on their award.

“We look forward to thanking each personally again at the season launch in March for their contribution to football, both on-field as players, umpires and coaches and off-field for their service as administrators and officials,” McLachlan said.

Dean Margetts - Record
277 premiership games umpired
35 pre-season games umpired
105 WAFL games

Ross Glendinning - Service Qualification
56 games for East Perth (WAFL), 1974-77
190 games for North Melbourne (VFL), 1977-86
40 games for West Coast (VFL), 1987-88
15 games for Western Australia
Two games for Victoria
Three games for Australia
Brownlow Medallist 1983
Club Best and Fairest 1982, 1983
Club Leading Goal kicker 1987, 1988
Club Captain 1987-88
All Australian 1982, 1983 (Carnival), 1983 (Season), 1984, 1987 (Carnival), 1987 (Season), 1988
East Perth Team of the Century
North Melbourne Team of the Century
WAFL Hall of Fame
Australian Football Hall of Fame