WA Umpiring Debutants for Week One of AFL FinalsThursday, September 1, 2022 - 8:35 AM - by Mark Readings

Six WA Umpires have been given the honour of officiating in the first week of the 2022 Toyota AFL Finals Series, including two debutants. 

Justin Power will umpire his first AFL Final when he walks onto Optus Stadium alongside fellow West Australian Nathan Williamson (132 AFL games) for Saturday night’s 1st Elimination Final between the Fremantle Dockers and the Western Bulldogs.

Power, who made his AFL debut in Round 1 of the 2019 season and has officiated in 66 AFL matches, began his career in the West Perth Junior District Umpires Association in 2005.

WAFL & WAFLW Umpiring Operations Manager at the WAFC Dean Margetts is delighted Power has been recognised.

“It’s been a huge year for JP.

He became a father and now after only 66 games, he’ll be in control of a final.

Justin made the move to Melbourne and it’s now paying dividends for him,” Margetts said.

Also making his AFL Finals debut in Saturday night’s game in Perth is local goal umpire Sam Hunter.

“This is basically Sam’s first full year as a goal umpire on the list, so to be part of a final so soon speaks volumes for Sam’s ability and his work ethic,” Margetts said.

Two of the four boundary umpires involved in the Dockers final are also WA products, with Nathan Doig and Brett Dalgleish appointed for the sell-out match.

Rounding out the WA contingent is veteran field umpire Brett Rosebury (478 AFL games), who’ll be in control of Saturday’s 1st Qualifying Final between Geelong and Collingwood at the MCG.

“I’m very proud of the WA umpiring crew and the representation we have on the big stages in footy.

It demonstrates once again that our Talent and Pathway is as good as anywhere in the land,” Margetts said.