Everyone knows an Australian Rules game can't be played without umpires, and a dangerous shortage of officials may put some roster games in doubt.
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This is something Northern Tasmanian Football Umpires Association president Sarah Shepherd believes may be a possibility if umpire numbers don't rise.
"There hasn't been a position where games haven't been able to be officiated but I would certainly foresee if it continues and with injuries, unavailability and sickness coming into winter, it is a concern," she said.
"We don't want to leave it to last minute to have that."
With last season's NTFA Shield only requiring field umpires, the association struggled to retain its boundary and goal umpires, many of whom were 14 or 15 years of age and seeking other employment.
Fielding an ageing fleet as the NTFA and NTJFA competitions continue to grow, Shepherd - who has been with the association for five years - is looking for anyone to join the umpires' team environment, which gets rewarded with tax-free money.
"We are open to anyone - community groups, schools, boarders, people that are new to the state, ex-players that can't play anymore that have retired and still want to be a part of the game, females as well," she said.
"We are really open to anyone that loves to run and staying fit and healthy.
"We have an experienced coaching panel who are accredited so we provide all the skills and training that you need."
Addressing what she believes is a statewide issue among the sporting code, Shepherd identified working, family commitments and injuries as contributing factors to the shortage.
"Not being able to play football on a Saturday after working your whole week just to get to that moment and have that sense of release and camaraderie with your mates, that would be really tough for a lot of people."
It's not all doom and gloom for the officials however, with State League boundary umpire Dominic Schiliro umpiring at the national under-19 AFLW championships last week.
Describing it as "the opportunity of a lifetime", the 20-year-old is entering his fourth season at TSL level after originally planning to stay in the NTFA.
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT
"It was really good to see and meet all these umpires from around the country and see how they go about it as well," Schiliro said.
"I also got coached by a number of AFL umpires and coaches as well which was really, really good."
Admitting the abuse that umpires get can be deterrent for others, Schiliro takes it in his stride.
"You don't realise how much fun it [umpiring] is until you actually do it," he said.
"There's a lot of people in the stands heckling at you, saying that they know better but once you're in the moment, you enjoy it.
"To umpire a full game correctly is next to impossible."
To find out more about joining the NTFUA, contact president Shepherd on 0439 653 305.