The AFL has announced the umpiring panel for the 2023 AFL Grand Final between Collingwood and the Brisbane Lions at the MCG this Saturday.
Matt Stevic, Simon Meredith, Hayden Gavine, and Robert Findlay have been revealed as the four field umpires for this year's big dance. Andrew Stephens is the emergency.
Veterans Stevic (11 Grand Finals umpired) and Meredith (7) have each overseen their fair share of deciders, whereas Saturday will represent maiden Grand Final appearances for Findlay, who was earlier named this year's All-Australian field umpire, and Gavine.
2023 will represent Stevic's tenth-straight Grand Final umpiring outing.
AFL Executive General Manager of Football Laura Kane congratulated this year's crop of officiators on Wednesday morning.
"Matt, Simon, Hayden, and Robert have performed outstandingly this season and their appointment to the 2023 AFL Grand Final is a testament to their hard work," Kane said in a league statement.
"I also want to congratulate each Boundary and Goal Umpire selected and thank every Umpire who has officiated in the AFL this season.
"All the best to all our match day officials โ from our Timekeepers and Interchange Stewards to our Shot Clock Operator, Umpire Trainers and Ball Stewards the biggest game on the footballing calendar does not happen without all your hard work."
Full 2023 Toyota AFL Grand Final Umpiring Panel:
Field Umpires
Matt Stevic (#9)
Ganes: 472
Finals: 56
Grand Finals: 10 (2012, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22).
Eight-time All-Australian (2012, 14, 5, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
Hayden Gavine (#14)
Games: 145
Finals: Seven
Simon Meredith (#21)
Games: 469
Finals: Six
Grand Finals: Seven (2012, 13, 14, 16, 17, 20, 22).
2022 All Australian
Robert Findlay (#23)
Games: 329 games
Finals:14
2023 All Australian
Andrew Stephens (#12)
Games: 204
Finals: 10
Boundary Umpires
Michael Barlow
Games: 114
Finals: Eight
2021 AFL Grand Final
Christopher Gordon
Games: 349
Finals: 37
Grand Finals: Six (2011, 15, 18, 19, 21, 2022)
2022 All Australian
Matt Tomkins
Games: 282
Finals: 31
Grand Finals: Four (2014, 15, 19, 20)
Two-time All Australian (2019, 20)
Ian Burrows
Games: 385
Finals: 43
Grand Finals: Nine (2010, 10R, 12, 14,15,16,19,20)
Two-time All Australian (2010, 15)
Matthew Konetschka
Games: 263
Finals: 31
Grand Finals: Five (2017, 19, 20, 21, 22)
2023 All Australian
Goal Umpires
Adam Wojcik
Games: 294
Finals: 34
Grand Finals: Four (2013, 15, 16, 17)
2023 All Australian.
Angus McKenzie-Wills
Games: 136
Finals: Nine
Brodie Kenny-Bell
Games: 157
Finals: Nine
