Saturday's Deloraine and South Launceston clash is a key one for both sides but will also be extra special for umpire Shaun Gleeson.
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The 35-year-old will run onto the ground for the 400th time, umpiring in the VFL, State League, NTFA, NTFL and NEFU across his 20-year career after starting as a boundary umpire at 15.
Getting onto the VFL list in 2008, Gleeson moved to Victoria and umpired in the competition from 2011-2014, doing several grand finals as well as being named in the Victorian Football Umpires Association team of the decade from 2010-2019.
"Doing the VFL grand finals and training with the AFL guys [were certainly highlights] as well as getting to meet all different people throughout the journey - that's why I'm still involved," he said.
"These days it's just about helping out the younger blokes and trying to help them progress and get better.
"I enjoy umpiring with the young guys, coaching them and helping them on game day so they can get to senior footy - that's what I'm enjoying at the moment."
Moving back to Tasmania in 2014, the umpiring stalwart has seen plenty of faces come and go through the years, with numbers ebbing and flowing throughout.
The NTFUA issued a call-out of sorts earlier this season, which saw numbers exceed expectations throughout its leagues.
Speaking highly of the association's social scene and the fitness element of umpiring, Gleeson said "we could always use a few more people".
"I think once people actually get involved in umpiring they don't leave because we are just like another football club ourselves," he said.
"I started when I was 15 and rather than working at Maccas and getting $6 an hour you can get $100 tax-free money on a weekend and get a bit of fitness as well, so I would encourage anyone to join."
As for what the milestone means to him, Gleeson, like many footballers who achieve a high game count, wasn't really sure.
"It's a long time, 20 years in umpiring, so it's a big dedication.
"I'm sure I'll reflect on it later on but it will just be good to have the family there and umpiring with some close mates to enjoy the day."
Gleeson's milestone follows fellow umpire Garry Kaine's 700th earlier this year.
Josh Partridge
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
