Renowned AFL field umpire 'Razor' Ray Chamberlain is set to come out of retirement for the 2025 AFLW season.
The two-time AFL Grand Final umpire boasted 377 games of AFL experience before hanging up the boots last year, and has since become a respected voice in the media, but he was coaxed to continue for another AFLW season to combat an umpiring shortage.
“I'm incredibly excited to maintain my involvement in umpiring in the NAB AFLW Competition, having first been involved in 2020,” Chamberlain said.
“Being able to have a positive impact in mentoring the game's next generation of on-field officials is something that I am passionate about.
“The NAB AFLW Competition continues to evolve and provides a fantastic environment for umpires to learn and develop elite behaviours and standards.”
Other former AFL field umpires set to add important experience to the league's umpiring fraternity in 2025 are Chris Donlon and Jordan Bannister.
Chamberlain, Donlon and Bannister have a combined 910 games of senior experience, plus 52 AFL finals and four grand finals.
In the 10th season of the AFLW, there is a squad of 116 umpires, including 42 females.
