FOR most sport lovers, a kick on the MCG after a Sunday game is enough to get the adrenaline going.
Umpiring on it is a cut above, and two of the EDFL’s own got to experience a dream come true.
Michael McGinnis, an experienced field umpire, and Frank Dicosmo, an ex-AFL goal umpire, were starring in lime green at the AFL International Cup Grand Final.
Both have umpired in many Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division finals in the EDFL, and represented the league excellently in a thrilling International Cup decider.
Dicosmo has umpired on the MCG before, and memories immediately came flooding back when he entered the ground.
“To be given that honour and privilege to be able to walk through that race again and experience it all, was fantastic,” he said.
Dicosmo has been involved in the VFL, AFL and EDFL, but the International Cup experience had a different feel for him.
“I had the fortune of umpiring Fiji, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand, so you’re looking at war dances, anthems and hakas,” he said.
“It’s just great and so unique.”
McGinnis, on the other hand, has never umpired on the MCG, and was honoured to take charge on the hallowed surface.
The match was between Papua New Guinea and New Zealand, and was played as a curtain raiser to an AFL game.
Papua New Guinea was victorious by a solitary point, which paid testament to the closeness of the competition throughout.
“The passion they’ve got for our game is such a great thing to see,” Dicosmo said.
McGinnis and Dicosmo not only enjoyed umpiring the Grand Final on the MCG, but enjoyed a memorable experience in their umpiring careers.
Both are long-time umpires, and have devoted so much of their time towards making the EDFL one of the best leagues to be involved in.
