A WA Debutant Joins a Milestone Man In AFL Season Opener Tuesday, March 15, 2022 - 12:05 PM

The opening game of the season at Optus Stadium this weekend will be a special occasion for two WA umpires. 

Jordan Russell will make his AFL debut as a Boundary Umpire when the Eagles host Gold Coast on Sunday afternoon. 

Russell began his journey at East Fremantle Junior Umpiring Club and in the WAFL at the start of 2017. 

“I’m extremely excited and privileged to get the opportunity to run out in Round one. 

Opportunities like this don’t come around very often so I can’t wait to get out there. 

The nerves will kick in on my way to the ground for sure,” Russell said. 

Russell will run the boundary alongside his good friend Josh Garrett, who’ll umpire his 100th AFL match. 

“I’m super excited to get out there with Josh in his 100th match. 

It’s a massive achievement for him and hopefully we can both go out there and nail the game.” 

Garrett is the son of former leading WAFL and AFL Field Umpire Trevor Garrett. 

Reigning Ian Coates Medallist Dan Johanson has also been selected for Sunday’s match. 

Johanson was named Best First-or Second-Year Field Umpire at the 2021 AFLUA Awards.  

In another boost for local umpiring, Sean Moylan will travel to Melbourne to officiate as a boundary umpire in Saturday’s match between Geelong and Essendon at the MCG. 

WAFL and WAFLW Umpiring Operations Manager Dean Margetts is excited about the number of elite umpires produced in WA. 

“We’re really proud of local umpires making their way into the AFL system and are confident they have the foundation and character for long and successful careers,” Margetts said. 

There’s also been movement on the coaching front with Craig Hendrie appointed AFL Match Day Coach for Sunday’s Field Umpires at Optus Stadium, while David Shawcross has been named AFL Goal Umpire Coach in the same match.