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Margetts visit to aid GFL umps

AFL Umpire Dean Margetts and WAFC Goldfields regional manager Gemma Harrison. Picture: Louise White

AFL umpire Dean Margetts has stressed that building a positive relationship between clubs and umpires is the key to the sport's future in a fleeting visit to the Goldfields.

Margetts' two-day trip to Kalgoorlie-Boulder, which wraps up today, was part of the WA Football Commission's Goldfields roadshow.

He has meet with various stakeholders yesterday, including the GFL commision, and will conduct umpiring courses and school visits today.

He concludes his trip with a training session with local umpires tonight.

Key points of emphasis for the visit was to spread the positive message of umpiring, and try to reduce the poor behaviour directed at the officials.

He said the avenue for achieving this was already available, but both clubs and umpires must co-operate and be active in influencing change.

"We don't have a massive group of umpires in the Goldfields, so it's hard to replicate a really structured training atmosphere," he said.

"I'd like to see umpires go to clubs and train with the players, get to know them, understand the the players and learn their names.

"So in a situation where you do have a questionable decision, maybe he might go up to him and ask him in a respectful way, as opposed to the tirade which might happen now."

The veteran of more than 12 years of AFL experience said new umpires needed to keep it simple when they were on the field.

"Focusing on the basics is the main thing, paying the warranted free kicks and not go looking for them," Margetts said.

"Most players want the game to be played and umpired where it's open and easy to understand, but when umpires over-officiate, players can have a 'what's going on?' attitude.

"The main thing is sticking to what the instructions are, following the laws of the game and using the experience they have."

Margetts' interest in football began in Perth's southern suburbs, playing for Maddington's juniors before progressing to the senior side to play as a wingman/forward.

However, after hanging up his boots he made the switch to the other side of the whistle, working his way through WA umpiring ranks before being drafted to the AFL panel in 2002.

After 249 senior AFL games, including an exhibition game in Dubai, he said the main appeal of umpiring remained staying involved in a game he loved.

"If you love the game and want to play, keep doing that, but if you want to continue in another avenue, umpiring is a great way to do that," he said.

"Playing and umpiring in town is a good thing to do also because it gives you an idea of what it's like to be on the other side of the whistle.

"You can make some extra money, you get to meet a lot of good people and if you have the ability, it can take you on a path you never thought possible."