Official website of the Essendon District Football League

Former EDFL Trio to Feature in Grand Final

Past Umpires and Player on the Big Stage


Brendan Hosking, Michael Marantelli and Mark Blicavs will all represent the EDFL in today's AFL Grand Final as past members of the EDFL community.

For Hosking, it will be his first AFL Grand Final after making his AFL umpiring debut in 2012 having officiated 210 games and five finals in the field.

His grand final debut comes almost 20 years after he first started umpiring with the EDFL.

Boundary umpire Michael Marantelli will be officiating his fifth AFL Grand Final and third consecutive decider after featuring in the 2020 and 2021 grand finals in Brisbane and Perth.

His wealth of experience includes 285 games and 30 finals to his name.

Former EDFL umpire Matt Tomkins will act as the emergency boundary umpire for the game after officiating four grand finals in the past, with the 2020 Grand Final his most recent appearance. 

Mark Blicavs will be representing the EDFL junior playing fraternity with the versatile big man set to play a crucial role for Geelong.

It's widely known that Blicavs found himself embedded in the world of track and field as a steeplechaser until he embarked on his AFL journey but before that he played junior football at the Taylors Lakes Football Club back in 2004.

Robbie Fox will also line up for Sydney today after playing 40 games of seniors and reserves football for Aberfeldie between 2013 and 2014.

The EDFL wishes all its former representatives the best of luck in today's game.

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