History-making WA field umpire Gabby Simmonds will officiate in her second consecutive AFL Women’s decider on Saturday when North Melbourne host Brisbane Lions at Ikon Park.
Simmonds became the first female WA field umpire to take part in an AFLW grand final last year and will now make it back-to-back deciders to cap off another massive year.
She’s been around the WAFL system since 2015 and was also the first female field umpire to officiate in a WAFL League Grand Final back in 2023.
WA Football’s WAFL and WAFLW Umpiring Operations Manager Tom Morrison highlighted Simmonds’ smooth transition from WAFL finals straight into the AFLW season.
“We are really proud of Gabby, it is a big achievement to go back-to-back in being appointed to an AFLW grand final, which is a really competitive environment for umpires across the nation,” Morrison said.
“What is particularly impressive is that Gabby completed a full pre-season and WAFL season then rolled straight into umpiring AFLW, which does have differences in the laws and interpretations of the game.
“She’s been able to jump from one competition to the next seamlessly and performed to a really high level – hence her appointment this weekend.”
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WA Football acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the many lands across Western Australia where we train, play, and come together through football. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all First Nations people. We recognise the deep and continuing contribution First Nations peoples make to our game and our communities.
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