Q: How many games have you umpired?
MB: As of 6th May 2023 – 1,239 games.
Q: How many Mortlock Shields have you been involved in?
MB: 19 (1982- 1995, 2011-17, 2020-2022) Q: How many A Grade Grand Finals have you umpired?MB: 13 (1985, first time two local umpires officiated – Wayback v Mallee Park, 1993-1997, 2011-2016, 2020-2021)
Q: Where and when did you start umpiring?
MB: Port Lincoln Football League in 1983. This is my 40th year.
Q: What got you started to umpire?
MB: I played junior grades for Marble Range, Lincoln South and Wayback but I wasn’t much of a footballer, yet I still wanted to be involved. My mate Andrew Dickie got me involved.
Q: Best umpire you have officiated with?
MB: Dave Adamson
Q: What is your most memorable game(s)?
MB: First A Grade Grand Final – never seen so many people at Centenary Oval and the loud ‘boo’ at quarter time.Also, the first state game at Port Lincoln, Victoria v Western Australia – blew the mark and the players would point to the mark and step one meter away.
Q: What is your view on the swapping of umpires across the EP Leagues?
MB: Great. I love traveling around the Eyre Peninsula to do matches involving the different teams, grounds, and amenities.
Q: Why are you still umpiring?
MB: I still enjoy it and the body is holding up although this is my last year as a field umpire.
Q: What advice would you give to starting out umpires?
MB: Get side on, 20m-30m away, blow strong, loud whistle.
Q: Are there any game rules you would like to see changed?
MB: One that bugs me is the protected area if the opposition encroaches the 50-meter penalty. I would like to see if a teammate encroaches then it should be ‘play on’.
