Farmer joins 300 ClubFriday, September 5, 2014 - 1:21 PM

Luke Farmer joined elite company when he umpired his 300th senior game when WCE played Melbourne in round 22.

Farmer joined the WAFL panel in 1997 aged just 16 and spent several years establishing himself.

He made his league debut in Round One 2000 when Claremont defeated Perth. One of his partners that day was Trevor Garrett, who now coaches umpires on bouncing technique.

In 2002 Luke passed the 50 game milestone and he umpired in the Nationals 18’s Championships with now current WAFL Field Umpires Coach Gareth Parker.

Farmer umpired his first league grand final in 2002 with Craig Hendrie and Ryan Worthington and umpired his second grand final in 2004.

In 2005 Farmer accepted an invitation to trial for AFL and was given a rookie contract. During 2005 Farmer was appointed to his first state game and again umpired the grand final with Mark Fussell and Greg Bandy and won the Montgomery Medal.

Another AFL trial followed and Farmer again received a rookie contract in 2006. That became a year of disappointment though as a severe hand injury restricted Farmer to only 14 games. He severed tendons in his hand at home and missed the back half of the season and the finals.

WAFL Umpire Manager Darryl Sinclair said after two AFL trials, Farmer was under pressure.

"He'd missed the grand final and had to have a big summer. Amazingly though, Luke injured his calf and appeared certain to miss the entire pre-season competition. But, he recovered in time to do a practice match and went out and performed really well," Sinclair said.

The performance was enough to show the AFL that after two trials and three grand finals, he was ready for the AFL.

Farmer made his AFL debut in Round 1, 2007 at AAMI Stadium with the match between Adelaide and Essendon. By season's end, Luke had umpired 16 AFL games and won the Coates Medal as the best first or second year AFL umpire. He also passed 150 senior games.

Injury destroyed almost all of Farmer's 2009 season. He umpired six WAFL and four AFL games. 2010 was a year of experience and Farmer moved to Melbourne for the season and had some huge moments.

Round 1 was Friday night footy at the MCG between Geelong and Essendon. He was at Etihad Stadium in Round 3 as Jordan Lewis and Jarrod Harbrow had the most sickening collision of the season. He then notched up his 200th senior game as Port Adelaide beat St Kilda.

Farmer returned to WA in 2011 where injury again struck and robbed him of the first half of his year. Farmer avoided injury in 2012 and it was a huge season as he umpired 23 games and made his AFL finals debut.

One of the highlights of his year was selection as the emergency umpire in the WANFLUA's team of the decade.

Sinclair said that Luke had demonstrated an enormous amount of resilience over a long period of time and he thoroughly deserved to be recognised as one of WA's best umpires that has officiated in the WAFL and AFL Competition.

Photo: Luke Farmer is congratulated by AFL commentator Dennis Cometti