Mark Fraser (footballer)

Mark Fraser (born 4 February 1971) is a former Australian rules footballer and umpire in the Australian Football League.

Playing career

Fraser, from Montmorency, Victoria, is the son of former Essendon Football Club champion Ken, who played 198 games over 11 seasons with them. Mark debuted with Collingwood in 1992 and played 14 games in his first season.

After 35 games with Collingwood, Fraser quit the club and was recruited by his father's former club, Essendon. He was played on the wing position but was only a depth player in his first 3 seasons at the club, and it wasn't until 1998 that he became a regular senior team member. In 1999 he continued his good form, which included a 27-disposal haul against Melbourne in Round 22.

2000 was Fraser's final year, and not being able to break into the premiership winning side saw him forced into retirement after 65 games with the Bombers, for a career total of 110.

Umpiring career

Fraser pursued a career in umpiring following his retirement and by 2001 had umpired in the Victorian Football League.^[1] In 2004, Fraser was brought onto the AFL umpires' rookie list, and debuted in a Wizard Cup match in 2004.^[2]

Fraser became the first ex-VFL/AFL player since the 1950s to also officiate as an field umpire in the AFL when he was selected to umpire the match between the Brisbane Lions and the Western Bulldogs at the Gabba on 7 May 2005.^[3] He was praised by umpires coach Jeff Gieschen for his "decision-making" but was criticised for his poor bouncing, which led to talk from coaches in the AFL looking at removing the centre bounce from the game.^[4] Fraser umpired three matches during this stint and remained on the list for 2006, but was injured before Round 1.

In May 2007 Fraser announced his retirement from umpiring after only 5 games, due a hip injury. He became chairman of the AFL Match Review Panel in 2010.^[5]

References

1. ↑ Quayle, Emma (28 November 2001). "Fraser whistles while he works". The Age. 
2. ↑ Ker, Peter (13 February 2004). "Umpire Fraser readies for the big time". The Age. 
3. ↑ "Player/Umpires: Best in both worlds". AFL Umpires Association. Retrieved 20 February 2013. 
4. ↑ Bye bye to the Bounce, Karen Lyon, Melissa Ryan and Peter Blucher, The Age, 24 May 2005.
5. ↑ "Mark Fraser to head match review panel". Herald Sun. 26 February 2010.