Jack Elder (umpire)
Encyclopedia
Jack Elder was a former Australian rules football
umpire
who in 1996 was named as the VFL/AFL
's Umpire of the Century.
He officiated as field umpire in 295 VFL matches (plus 7 as a boundary umpire), including a record 39 Finals and 10 Grand Finals, between 1906-1922. He also held the position of Umpire's Advisor in 1923.
In a famous incident in the 1910 VFL Grand Final
, a massive brawl broke out between Collingwood
and Carlton
players during the last quarter. A number of players were felled and four players were reported (the first in Grand Final history), yet the fight kept going. Elder settled matters by blowing his whistle and bouncing the ball. Most of the combatants looked on, stunned, as the game recommenced without them, so they had no option but to forget about the fight.
His umpiring philosophy was quoted in the The Sporting Globe more than a decade after his retirement.
Elder considered the pre-Great War era of 1905-14 as the 'Golden Age' of football, yet it was a period where allegations of bribery led to several League investigations, and on-field violence was at its height forcing the League to the number and powers of umpires. In this environment Elder stood out, with the first VFL umpires coach (Jack Worrall) referring to him as 'our leading adjudicator'.
In 1996 the Australian Football League
announced its inaugural inductees to the Australian Football Hall of Fame
, including 10 umpires. Above the other noteworthy inductees they chose Elder as Umpire of the Century
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
umpire
Umpire (Australian rules football)
An umpire is an official in the sport of Australian rules football.-Origins:Unlike many other codes of football, where the official is called a referee, in Australian Football, the officials borrow their title from the game of cricket, which is played on the same types of fields and was an...
who in 1996 was named as the VFL/AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
's Umpire of the Century.
He officiated as field umpire in 295 VFL matches (plus 7 as a boundary umpire), including a record 39 Finals and 10 Grand Finals, between 1906-1922. He also held the position of Umpire's Advisor in 1923.
In a famous incident in the 1910 VFL Grand Final
AFL Grand Final
The AFL Grand Final is an annual Australian rules football match, traditionally held on the final Saturday in September at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia to determine the Australian Football League premiership champions for that year...
, a massive brawl broke out between Collingwood
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
and Carlton
Carlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
players during the last quarter. A number of players were felled and four players were reported (the first in Grand Final history), yet the fight kept going. Elder settled matters by blowing his whistle and bouncing the ball. Most of the combatants looked on, stunned, as the game recommenced without them, so they had no option but to forget about the fight.
His umpiring philosophy was quoted in the The Sporting Globe more than a decade after his retirement.
- "Even in the hardest fought match it is important to remain calm. Use the whistle only when required. League football is not a genteel sport for schoolgirls and the term 'rough' is often misapplied. That borderline between manly vigour and roughhouse tactics is sometimes a little vague. The term 'rough football' should I think be used sparingly. 'Hard play' differs greatly from the sly bump, the kicks at ankles, the trips and the knees jolted in the backs that constitute rough and illegal play."
Elder considered the pre-Great War era of 1905-14 as the 'Golden Age' of football, yet it was a period where allegations of bribery led to several League investigations, and on-field violence was at its height forcing the League to the number and powers of umpires. In this environment Elder stood out, with the first VFL umpires coach (Jack Worrall) referring to him as 'our leading adjudicator'.
In 1996 the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
announced its inaugural inductees to the Australian Football Hall of Fame
Australian Football Hall of Fame
The Australian Football Hall of Fame was established in 1996, the Centenary year of the Australian Football League, to help recognise the contributions made to the sport of Australian rules football by players, umpires, media personalities, coaches and administrators. It was initially established...
, including 10 umpires. Above the other noteworthy inductees they chose Elder as Umpire of the Century