Tasmanian boundary umpire Rhys Goodyer has been appointed to officiate the AFLW Grand Final in Melbourne this weekend.
Goodyer will be one of four boundary umpires for the AFLW decider between the Western Bulldogs and Brisbane Lions at Ikon Park this Saturday.
The 19-year-old, from Launceston, also umpired throughout the 2017 AFLW season and officiated the 2016 and 2017 TSL Men’s Grand Finals.
Goodyer was shocked when he received the call up for the AFLW decider.
“Umpiring across the AFLW has been an amazing experience.
“I had umpired three games across this AFLW season so I had no idea that I would be selected. I umpired well in my last game and they were impressed enough to give me a go.
“I am really excited about the opportunity but I am feeling a bit nervous – I can’t wait to get stuck into it,” he said.
Goodyer first got into umpiring after attending some of his father’s umpiring training sessions as an 11-year-old and hasn’t looked back since.
“I love football and the people involved in umpiring make it a rewarding thing to do.
“It’s a fantastic way to be involved with the game,” Goodyer said.
Goodyer harbours ambitions to one day umpire an AFL men’s match.
“That will be the ultimate goal, I am just excited to continue working towards that.”
The AFLW Grand Final will get underway from 12.35pm at Ikon Park this Saturday 24 March with two Tasmanians, Jessica Wuetschner and Brittany Gibson, set to line up for the Lions.