Ex-AFL whistleblower Dean Margetts passes on tips and knowledge to Great Southern Football League umpires

There was plenty of enthusiasm among umpires, players and spectators with decorated former AFL umpire Dean Margetts involved in two Great Southern Football League matches at the weekend. Margetts, who umpired 376 AFL games and 12 finals in a 19-year career at the top level, blew the whistle in the clash between Albany and Railways on Saturday and then the Sunday fixture between North Albany and Mt Barker. He took to the field in three-umpire systems in both games alongside some of the less experienced umpires in the region. The experienced 48-year old praised the passion of local umpires, players and coaches within the GSFL. “Country footy is the heartbeat and fabric of country regions,” Margetts said. “To see how much the players love playing and the coaches love coaching and then of course the umpires love to participate as well. “When I umpired (here), it was great to see how much the umpires really took all the advice I provided to them. “They must have wanted to learn and grow their own games, it was really impressive and I was just rapt. Margetts said he was impressed with the standard of football within the GSFL and enjoyed getting involved for the weekend, also coaching the umpires who were involved in Saturday night’s WAFL colts fixture. “It was a good level of football, I’ve umpired in Cervantes and Esperance and a whole range of places and the competition is right up there with the best of them,” he said. “The players gave me a bit of a razz at half-time in the Railways game and asked me to bounce the ball once or twice and it went straight up which was good. “It’s good to give a little bit back to the game which has been so good to me for a long period of time.” Margetts said he would return to the region in the future as he looked to continue umpiring games in regional communities. “I think now that the word has got out that I’m doing a few more games, the phone will start ringing hot which is really good because I still feel like I can physically do it and give a bit back,” he said. “If we can give some feedback to umpires to make them better so when I’m moved on, they can harness that information, it will be better for the game and it’s a good thing for us all.”