Leigh Fisher reaches rare milestone, reveals toughest decisions for umpires

AS PLAYER-turned-umpire Leigh Fisher reaches a rare milestone, he reveals the toughest calls for AFL umps and what whistleblowers really think about the bounce.

Umpire Leigh Fisher. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

PLAYER-turned-umpire Leigh Fisher says looser rules around the bounce have helped release the pressure valve on the AFL’s whistleblowers.

But amid uproar over players ducking into tackles, the former player says he will always try to reward the footballer making the play.

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Former Saint Fisher will this weekend notch a remarkable milestone when he joins South Melbourne’s Dick Gibson (101 games from 1899-1909) as the second former player to umpire 100 games.

Fisher, 34 next week, played 55 games in a career plagued by injury and says after eight years in his second career he now identifies more as an umpire.

He knows feedback is never far away — as the owner of the “Cornerstone and Co.” cafe in Hampton and Brighton restaurant Osteriya, he gets it from patrons on a weekly basis.

But as former VFL player Andre Gianfagna makes his AFL umpiring debut today, Fisher says more players should consider the umpiring pathway.

The AFL had to fiercely defend its umpires integrity against preposterous suggestions the errant bounces were a protest against being made to bounce the ball this year.

Former Saint turned umpire Leigh Fisher. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Fisher says being allowed to throw the ball up if they were battling the bounce has helped lessen the pressure on umpires this year.

Umpires also do not have to recall high bounces on the borderline of the centre circle if both ruckmen make the contest.

“I pride myself on being pretty consistent. I had to put a fair bit of work into it early but I am pretty comfortable with my routine and like to think I am OK at it,” he said.

“It takes a bit of a toll on the body and we need to get into the gym to keep our bodies strong and injury-free and I still think it’s a good challenge to have in the game.

“It’s a skill we have to execute and I am a fan of it. I know there has been a lot of discussion in the past 12 months but I think a lot of umpires find it a challenge.

“There is less pressure on us to bounce well. If you are having a bad day there is no issues if you throw it up and five years ago that was unheard of.”

Fisher is hopeful he can combine umpiring with his career in hospitality for another five or 10 years but admits it is mentally challenging.

Just as in his playing days, one minute’s lost concentration can lead to a mistake that means he will be the centre of attention, the worst possible place for an umpire.

Umpires now have the option of throwing up the ball up if they are having a bad day of bouncing.

He says the ducking rule, deliberate out of bounds and deliberate rushed behinds can all be challenging to adjudicate.

“With the ducking, did they shrug or duck? We have a lot of meetings and some umpires think one is a free kick and others don’t. We all bring our views.

“I like to see the person making the play get rewarded. I know it’s been in the media a bit but if someone goes and gets the ball and makes the play, they should be protected.

“We have to judge it as we see it and you only get a split-second to make the call.”

Work and umpiring keeps him busy, which means he has no interest in becoming a full-time umpire.

He and wife Jodie have a 19-month-old son Harvey, with Fisher admitting St Kilda legend Robert Harvey might have been an inspiration.

“There might have a bit there,” he quips.

Now after 100 games in the system he is determined to umpire his first final this year after narrowly missing out last season.

“To umpire a final is definitely one of my goals this year and beyond. I was just out of the mix last year and this is a long year but hopefully this year is the year.

“It’s a funny one, as a player you know how many possessions you get and can judge the influence you have had.

“It is the reverse if you are umpiring. It is about how little influence you have on the game. If you go unnoticed and no one is talking about you, you have done well.”

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