2023 QAFL GRAND FINAL UMPIRES ANNOUNCED

Sam Bridges #10

This is Sam’s third State League Grand Final: 2020 (Tasmanian FL), 2022 (QAFL), 2023 (QAFL)

Sam is one of the QAFL’s most experienced umpires having umpired in Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland during his 15-year career.  He has also been selected to umpire National 16s, National 18s, and has umpired in the AFLW Competition. Sam also made his VFL Debut earlier this season.  He umpired Broadbeach v PBC in Week 1 and Aspley v Redlands in Week 2 of finals. 

Jake Edgar #23

This is Jake’s second QAFL Grand Final: 2022, 2023

Jake has a background in his umpiring career and goes back-to-back in 2023.  He umpired the Queensland VS Tasmania State Representative Game earlier this year and made his VFL Debut in August.  He has also represented Queensland at National U16 level, and umpired numerous lower age and community Grand Finals.  Jake has umpired Surfers Paradise vs Wilston Grange Week 1, Aspley vs Redlands Week 2 and the Redland v Wilston Grange Preliminary Final. 

Henry Harris #2

This is Henry’s first QAFL Gerand Final appearance.

Henry has been on the QAFL Umpiring Department Talent Radar for many years.  Hailing from Lismore in New South Wales, he has worked his way through Juniors and Community Level and been a fixture at QAFL Level for the past four years.  After umpiring the NQ VS SQ representative match in 2022, his season was cut short due to a serious leg injury but responded very well to be appointed to National U16 level this season and ultimately his first QAFL Grand Final.  He has previously Umpired QAFL Reserves, QAFL Colts Grand Finals and numerous Community and Junior Grand Finals.  He was in charge of the Broadbeach vs Wilston Grange Semi Final and the Redland v Wilston Grange Preliminary Final. 

Emergency: Matt Bellina #17

Matt has had an excellent year having umpired National U18s this season and every week in Senior Football.  He chalked up his 150^th QAFL Match earlier this season and has previously umpired 2 QAFL Grand Finals and acted as Emergency in 2 others.

Nick Mabb

This is Nick’s seventh QAFL Grand Final (2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023)

Nick brings a wealth of experience to this panel being the longest serving Boundary Umpire on the QAFL List with a very impressive resume, having officiated in hundreds of QAFL, NEAFL and VFL matches in his long career.  He umpired the 2020 Reserve Grade Final where he unfortunately injured his ACL and coached in 2021 before returning in 2022.  He has also umpired numerous representative and Underage National fixtures, and AFLW. 

Brendan Press

This is Brendan’s second State League Grand Final: 2017 (NEAFL) and 2023 (QAFL)

Brendan returned to Boundary Umpiring this season after a five-year hiatus where he was focussed on his superb Track and Field Career and young family. In 2017 he umpired the NEAFL Grand Final and State Game between the NEAFL and Tasmania.  He has brought excellent energy, attitude and professionalism to the QAFL Boundary Umpiring Group since his return and has “picked up where he left off” earning himself the 2023 Grand Final.

Delsen Jones

This is Delsen’s first QAFL Grand Final appointment.

Delsen gets his first chance officiating a QAFL Grand Final after a long apprenticeship, having umpired matches at VFL Level for the last three seasons, QAFL Level for the past five seasons and having umpired at AFLW Level.  He has previously umpired QAFL Colts and QAFL Reserve Grade Grand Finals and his performance during the finals series this season earns him his debut.

Cayleb Fidge

This is Cayleb’s second QAFL Grand Final (2022, 2023)

Cayleb has been one of Queensland’s most consistent Goal Umpires of the last few years.  He goes “back-to-back” in QAFL Senior Grand Finals, after having umpired a grand final at either QAFL Reserves or Colts levels in each of the four seasons prior to this.  He made his VFL Debut in 2022 and has again performed superbly in 2023 to earn his spot.

Connor Johnstone

This is Connor’s first QAFL Grand Final.

Connor gets his first taste of an on-field role in the QAFL Grand Final after being named as the Emergency Umpire in 2022.  He has had a very good year, officiating at National 18s level and in QAFL Senior Football every week. 

Emergency: Hudson Tolley

Hudson is one of the rising stars of the group, breaking into QAFL Senior football last season.  He umpired the Queensland VS Tasmania State Representative match earlier this season at North Hobart Oval.