Umpire Ray Chamberlain has admitted he doesn't know yet why he wasn't given the nod for preliminary finals weekend with the often vocal umpires season apparently done and dusted.
Chamberlain umpired the GWS vs Geelong semi-final and seemingly had a good game. However, he isn't one of the six field umpires that will be vying for a spot on the final night of the season.
Speaking on SEN, Chamberlain admitted he was flat not to get the nod for the penultimate week of the season.
“I’ve had 15 different types of phone calls, so nothing is a surprise anymore. You’re hopeful, you’re certainly hopeful,” he said.
“If I reflect on last year, I stewed on it a bit and I was pretty filthy more at me. I gave them (selectors) an opportunity and a reason to move me aside and I wasn’t the best version of myself. That didn’t sit well with me because that was my fault.
“What I’m really comfortable about this year is I was able to do what I’m supposed to do for the players this year. I feel really good about having done that.”
“What’s required now is for the eight people on our list – field umpires – we have to put all of our energy into positive performances on the weekend and managing and supporting the game so the players can be the stars.
“That is our job, so that’s what we’ll worry about.”
When asked whether he had been given a direct reason for his omission, Chamberlain said he was yet to be told why his season was seemingly over.
“Not yet. Again, what’s really important to understand is there are bigger things going on," he said.
He admitted that his notoriety and public profile may sometimes play against him when it comes to landing the biggest job of all but said that's just part of who he is.
“There’s pros and cons to everything. I get the opportunity to come on here and advocate for our group and what we do,” he said.
“There’s definitely noise, but some of that stuff’s made me have to be better at what I do. I have to get it right, I have to communicate effectively and respectfully. I can’t have a little moment that potentially others can that gets swept away.
“I think in a way it sort of helps me.”
Chamberlain said that this year, like last threw up challenges never faced before. He added that he felt proud of his season to date, even if it is over sooner than he would have liked.
“This is has been an extraordinary year and I’m stating the obvious … there’s lots of stuff that goes on in everyone’s lives, this has been really challenging times,” Chamberlain said.
“The phrase best to describe it is you don’t want to come this far to only come this far.
“But what’s really important to reflect on is I’m really proud of having got to where I’ve gotten to this year, I’m really proud of my two performances with the teams I was involved with, the guys that I umpired with in the finals.
The man known as 'Razor' is often a focus of fans and commentators as he is an umpire that regularly converses with players during games.
He is also not one for disrespectful tones, having famously told of former Tiger Shaun Grigg and more recently Bulldog Roarke Smith for their tones.
Chamberlain went on to say that the was incredibly proud of his fellow umpires for all the work they have put in during another very difficult season.
“We’ve got eight quarters to go this week and then three plus an emergency will be afforded the responsibility and privilege of the grand final in Perth – which is going to be the most incredible experience," he said.
“The people over here have embraced this opportunity like I have not seen. And I’m really proud of the team that will get that opportunity.
“What we’ve been able to do as a collective I personally think is extraordinary and I could not be prouder of my colleagues this weekend.”
