AFL Announces First Female Umpire In Grand Finals History For Saturday's Game

The Australian Football League announced female umpire Chelsea Roffey "would fill a key umpiring role" during Saturday's game between the Hawthorn Hawks and Sydney Swans, ensuring "this grand final will become part of history," according to Courtney Walsh of THE AUSTRALIAN. Roffey had been an emergency for the past two grand finals and earned her spot in this year's final after umpires boss Jeff Gieschen gave the green light "over a contentious decision" during Sydney's defeat of Collingwood at ANZ Stadium Friday. Roffey said, "You dream about doing a grand final and I've been dreaming about this day for a long, long time. I think Jeff said 'congratulations' and I teared up and had a bit of a cry. So that's a bit girly, isn't it?" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 9/26).