EDFL Umpire Rocky Tranquillo reached an incredible milestone on Friday night umpiring game 1,000!
The Thirds Division One game between Greenvale and Keilor was a special fixture in the umpiring community with Rocky Tranquillo reaching four figures with games umpired.
Rocky has umpired for over 20 years after retiring from playing and while he's very proud of his achievement, he didn't think he'd get this far.
"I always remember my first game and I really enjoyed it, so I sort of knew umpiring is what I would be happy to do for a while, but maybe for five years or so, certainly not 20 years," Rocky laughs in reflection.
Rocky's inspiration for continuing to don the green stems wholly from the EDFL umpiring community, with the entire cohort motivating the much-loved figure.
"I look up to the older umpires that still umpire games in the EDFL," Rocky says. "They are amazing people with so much experience, so they keep inspiring me to continue umpiring as long as I can.
"I can also say that I am everyone's mate, so I have umpires from the age of 12 to 67 that are friends with me and we get along really well!
"The umpires in the EDFL are so nice and I know that I have made lifelong friends."
While 1,000 games will create a vast amount of memories, he says grand finals are the best day you can umpire in, but he's also enjoyed umpiring with young and talented umpires and watching them progress into VFL/AFL.
The likes of Brendan Hosking, Michael Pell, Harry Birch, Nathan Toner, Jordy Pearson, and Lachie Coyne have all crossed paths with Rocky.
He was inducted as a Life Member into the EDFL Umpires Association in 2016 who said in a celebratory Facebook post his impact is profound.
"Rocky has made an impact on so many young umpires with his passion for the sport and their own development, playing a part in the careers of a host of AFL/VFL Umpires for over two decades.
"Rocky can still be found umpiring Saturday and Sunday mornings, offering his experience to the next generation of umpires, both boys and girls.
"We commend you on your enthusiasm and genuine care for others, which it appears to not be slowing down on your way to hopefully another 1,000 games!"
Rocky has no plans on slowing down and wants to continue the work he is beloved for by many.
"I hope to keep umpiring as long as I can and keep being the best I can be.
"I love coaching the kids at the Craigieburn Academy on a Monday night and Windy Hill on a Tuesday night as I love helping out anyone that wants to give umpiring a go!"
