By JARROD POTTER
HIGHER levels of senior umpiring are within Matt Pongracic’s grasp and he’s thrilled to get another chance to prove his skill in a big game.
Pongracic, 22, from Junction Village, has been improving his craft with Southern Umpires Association and has earned his second major interleague match this year as he’ll officiate in the AFL Victoria Community Cup.
He blew the whistle in the first versus second clash at the Worksafe AFL Victoria Country Championships as Geelong Football League defeated Peninsula Football League by 85 points at Simonds Stadium.
His performance at the championships earned him another chance to run onto Simonds Stadium to officiate the Victoria Metro versus Victoria Country clash and hopes his performance will impress VFL umpiring selectors.
“It’s nice to be recognised as one of the elite umpires outside of the VFL in Victoria,” Pongracic said. “I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to get out there and run out on the ground and make Southern Umpires proud.
“It will be good to get out there again and get a taste of the big time.
“Really gives you good belief that you’re doing everything right and can go as far as you can and I’ve just got to get it right on the day and not be noticed – if we go unnoticed we’ve done our job.”
He’s part of the VFL Umpires Rookie Squad this season and hopes to impress in a trial at the end of the year to gain promotion to the VFL Development Squad – which is where umpires for TAC Cup and VFL Development League matches are selected.
Ramping up his fitness and focusing on umpiring are the steps Pongracic is undertaking to become an elite umpire, which doesn’t differ all that much from what it takes to become an elite footballer.
“Last couple of years I’ve gotten a lot more professional – not that I was ever unprofessional – but I have been making sure I’m only running on athletic’s tracks and grass surfaces, getting the right amount of sleep and meeting my dietary requirements,” Pongracic said.
“I’m looking after myself as much as I can outside of umpiring to prevent injury and maintain the high levels of fitness so I can focus on my umpiring going to the next level next year.”
He hopes to earn another nod to umpire the Peninsula Football League grand final and springboard from there into the bottom of the umpiring pile at the next level and repeat those steps all the way to his dream – umpiring in the AFL.
“I want to go to the bottom of the pecking order at a higher level and earn my stripes again and start again up there,” Pongracic said.
“Get into the squad for the VFL Development Squad – that will umpire TAC Cup and VFL reserves – then VFL senior list and AFL after that.
“There’s a clear pathway… something I’ve got my mind set on… I’m very committed to and going through the process.”
The AFL Victoria Community Cup will be played on Saturday from 4pm at Simonds Stadium as a curtain-raiser to Geelong VFL versus Richmond VFL.
