Justin Dolin umpires 900th match
03 Aug, 2018
In 2018, Goal Umpire Justin Dolin celebrated a major milestone when he umpired his 900th WAAFL/SFL game, 800th WAAFL match as well as his 250th A Grade game.
Justin’s association with the WAAFL began when he left school in 1975. He played a handful of games for Trinity Old Boys before study took over.
Justin spent nine years living in the country before moving back to the city and wanted to be involved with Football in some capacity.
He decided to take up field umpiring in 1990, umpiring his first match under the single umpire system at Collage Park.
Justin said “I still remember my first ever field umpiring game when they still had the single umpire. The game was at College Park and did I feel sore after that. I think I took over a week to get over that game”.
That game was the start of a long association with the Amateur competition as Justin continued to field umpire with a small stint as boundary umpire coming back from injury.
Justin ventured into the Sunday League as field umpire mainly doing colts and reserves. Eventually after more than 170 games in field he made the change to Goal umpiring where he has been ever since.
Justin said “I have enjoyed my time in the goals running with both my boys (Boundary Umpires) in many games including Finals. The most memorable game I umpired was a State game when WA v Vic at MediBank Oval when the weather was atrocious. Freezing cold, wet and muddy but a great game”
Justin was met with the same wet conditions when he umpired his 900th match two weeks ago “Driving rain, Fog or Clouds so much so I could not see twenty metres in front of me let alone my goals partner at the other end. The league game that day was also an excellent game to be a part of considering the conditions” said Justin.
Justin has won a couple of Goal Umpire of the Year Awards, umpired A Grade Grand Finals and is the current WACFUA secretary.
Justin said “I enjoy getting out on Saturday’s and being part of our great game. Being involved and seeing really good football at the same time makes it all worth it”.
The WAAFL congratulates Justin on his umpiring milestone as well as the umpires listed below who have reached or are set to reach milestones in 2018.
2018 Umpire Milestones
Goal Umpire
1400 Des Morgan
1100 Rob Cox
950 Noel Edgar
900 Justin Dolin
500 George Breen
450 Joel Norman
400 Chris Johns
Boundary Umpire Milestones
1000 Don Beard
450 Paul Boland
Field Umpire Milestones
700 John Lawniczak
700 John Terace Smith
