2024 rebel VFLW Grand Final umpires announced

The umpiring panel features the highest representation of women appointed to the rebel VFLW grand final in the competition’s history.

Five women have been selected to officiate the premiership decider, equating to 45 per cent of the 11-member umpiring panel. The figure is up from 10 percent for last year’s Grand Final.

The three field umpires appointed for the 2024 rebel VFLW Grand Final are Gen Devenish, Adam Bailes and Ned Welsh, with Ben Lefebvre named the emergency.

Monique Galea, Olivia Grcic, Mitch Bellingham and Ben Myatt are the selected boundary umpires, with Jenna Green and Jack Kennedy the appointed goal umpires. Courtney Stelling is the emergency goal umpire.

All five women selected on the 2024 rebel VFLW Grand Final umpiring panel are part of the AFL’s Women in Umpiring Accelerator program.

The program currently has 40 umpires from across field, boundary, and goal umpiring disciplines.

Each umpire has a dedicated coach who provides additional support to their state coaching program by observing their weekly matches, providing specific coaching, and mentoring to accelerate their individual development.

AFL Executive General Manager Football Laura Kane congratulated the umpires on their appointment in the 2024 rebel VFLW Grand Final.

“All umpires selected to the 2024 rebel VFLW Grand Final have performed to a high level this year and thoroughly deserve their selection,” Ms Kane said.

“I want to congratulate each field, boundary and goal umpire selected and thank every umpire who has officiated in the VFLW this season.

“Having a record number of women in the Grand Final umpiring panel is a testament to the work being done by the coaches and umpires in the Women in Umpiring Accelerator program.

“The AFL continues to invest in talent pathways and umpiring at all levels of the game and we look forward to these umpires continuing to rise through the umpiring ranks into the future.”

Continue below for profiles on the 2024 rebel VFLW Grand Final umpiring panel.