Mathew Nicholls
| Mathew Nicholls | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Matthew Nicholls | ||
| Date of birth | 1977 (age 46–47) | ||
| Umpiring career | |||
| Years | League | Role | Games |
| 2003– | AFL | Field umpire | 406 |
Mathew Nicholls (born 1977) is an Australian rules football field umpire in the Australian Football League.
He officiated in the 2013 AFL Grand Final[1] and the 2014 AFL Grand Final.
Nicholls was notably umpiring during the famous Sirengate match between St Kilda and Fremantle in 2006, when play was allowed to continue after the final siren because the siren was too quiet for Nicholls to hear.[2]
He is also known for paying Fremantle a controversial free kick in front of their goal and swinging the momentum the game against Collingwood on May 24th 2024. This baffling decision should have resulted in being Nicholls’ last ever game officiating at the highest level [3] and was considered by the majority of football followers to not be in the spirit of the game and was 'over the top officiating'. [4]
Nicholls is also notably referred to as "the best bouncer in the business", by commentator Brian Taylor, a reference to his ability to produce a large centre bounce.
References
- ^ Julia Gauci (24 September 2013). "AFL announces Grand Final umpires". Australian Football League Umpires Association. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
- ^ Hinds, Richard (1 May 2006). "Siren signals chaos as Saints steal draw". Retrieved 29 September 2013.
- ^ Reid, Harrison (25 May 2024). [hhttps://7news.com.au/sport/afl/baffling-umpiring-decision-sparks-wild-comeback-before-fremantle-and-collingwood-finish-in-thrilling-draw-c-14785626/ "Baffling umpiring decision sparks wild comeback before fremantle and collingwood finish in thrilling draw"]. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ Shaw, Tony (24 May 2024). "Matthew Nicholls free kick was over the top officiating". Retrieved 27 May 2024.
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