The short but rapid rise to the AFL of former Peter Jackson VFL and TAC Cup player Brent Wallace was completed on the weekend.
But it was not the AFL debut he may have dreamt of when progressing through the talent pathway with the Northern Knights and Box Hill Hawks as a player.
Wallace debuted as an AFL field umpire at Etihad Stadium in the clash between St Kilda and Melbourne last weekend, a successful product of the AFL player-to-umpire pathway program.
A combination of illness and injury curbed his senior game time at the Box Hill Hawks and at the end of 2011, Wallace decided he would take up umpiring.
The 23-year-old son of Hawthorn triple premiership player Terry Wallace, Brent started his umpiring journey with the Eastern Football League in 2012 before spending the last two seasons in the VFL, culminating with the 2014 VFL Grand Final.
AFL Victoria’s State League Umpiring Head Coach Cameron Nash said it was a good reward for all the hard work that Wallace has put in.
“Since taking up umpiring he has really applied himself in all areas and is very coachable hence his quick rise to the top,” Nash said.
“He umpired the VFL Grand Final last year due to his consistent season and finished ranked in our top 3 umpires.
“He has reached the AFL purely on his umpiring ability.”
In the lead up to his first game, Brent was looking forward to the next stage of his umpiring journey.
“I am really honoured to be given the opportunity to officiate my first game,” Wallace said.
“It has been a fast-track system that I have come through, but at each level I’ve been given a lot of opportunity and I have stepped up with those opportunities.
“I felt like I was in form and was feeling good about my umpiring, so it was just a matter of waiting for the opportunity and I am glad it arrived.
“Hopefully now I can step up to the top level.”
Last Modified on 16/06/2015 15:34
