WA Umpiring History in AFLW DeciderFriday, November 29, 2024 - 10:29 AM

Gabby Simmonds will become the first WA female Field Umpire to officiate an AFLW Grand Final when North Melbourne plays Brisbane tomorrow night.

Simmonds, who was an emergency field umpire in last year’s decider, has umpired 57 AFLW matches and made history last year when she became the first female to umpire a WAFL League Final.

Simmonds is joined by another West Australian tomorrow night with fellow field umpire Matt Adams selected to appear in his second consecutive AFLW Grand Final.

Adams has long been an elite umpire at WAFL level, having been in charge of 267 League matches and eight League Grand Finals.

Tom Morrison, WAFL & WAFLW Umpiring Operations Manager at the West Australian Football Commission, is delighted Simmonds has been rewarded with Grand Final selection.

“Gabby is thoroughly deserving of this opportunity following the work she’s done on and off the field to become an elite umpire,” Morrison said.

“After coming so close last year as an emergency umpire in the AFLW Grand Final, everyone in the Umpiring Department is confident she’ll do a terrific job.”

Morrison also praised the ongoing excellence of Adams.

“Matt’s record speaks for itself and to umpire back to back Grand Finals in the AFLW is a huge achievement,” Morrison said.