MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 27: Dustin Martin of the Tigers argues with Umpire Matt Stevic after a controversial rushed behind decision during the 2017 AFL round 10 Dreamtime at the G match between the Richmond Tigers and the Essendon Bombers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 27, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)
The crew of umpires for the 2021 AFL Grand Final have been announced ahead of the first bounce on Saturday evening,
The lineup at Perth's Optus Stadium includes an impressive list of veterans, as well as a pair of debutants.
Vastly experience whistleblower Matt Stevic will lead the collective on the night, having umpired 426 AFL games, 48 finals and eight Grand Finals.
This season's decider will be Stevic's ninth Grand Final in the last 10 seasons.
Stevic is viewed among the umpiring community as the league’s best officiator, highlighted by the fact he’s been selected to oversee every decider since 2014 and all but one since 2012.
Joining him is fellow veteran Brett Rosebury, who also boasts impressive history in the code having umpired 458 AFL games - a figure that has only been surpassed by two other adjudicators across the game's history.
The pair will also be joined by Grand Final debutant Jacob Mollison, who is currently in his 14th season of umpiring.
Stephen Williams and Steven Axon have been selected as the men between the sticks, with Sam Walsh as an emergency.
After being tasked with the role of presiding around the boundary, Michael Barlow will officiate in his first ever Grand Final this weekend.
Barlow will also be joined by Michael Marantelli and Christopher Gordon, who will be umpiring their fourth grand finals, and Matthew Konetschka who will be umpiring his third.
The emergency boundary umpire is Ben Macdonald.