A 20-year journey for goal umpire Doug Nankervis reaches its 500-game pinnacle on Saturday.
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Set to wave the flags for NTFA premier division's minor premiership decider between Longford and South Launceston, the 58-year-old never expected to get to the milestone.
"I wanted to get to a level where I've done quite a few games," he said.
"It took a bit longer because last year I didn't do much, so this year I thought I wouldn't get there but I have just before finals."
Having done a small amount of boundary umpiring through juniors, Nankervis used to keep score in the program on the sidelines.
People would ask him the score and double check if the scoreboard had it correct before umpiring was recommended to him in 2001.
"Someone just said that umpiring was enjoyable, so I decided I would go and see how it worked out and I've been doing it ever since.
"When I was a kid I went to a lot of football games and I just liked going to matches so I kept that going through umpiring."
During his time between the goalposts, the Coles Warehouse worker has umpired 21 grand finals across the NTFA, NTJFA, North Eastern Football Union and Oatlands District Football Association.
When asked about a career highlight, the 2009 division one grand final between George Town and Rocherlea sprung to mind as the Saints collected their eighth consecutive premiership.
Nankervis plans to continue his umpiring career for as long as he enjoys doing it.
"I like being involved in the game as well, that's the point that I like [that] I'm kind of part of it.
"It's different than being just on the sidelines, you're a part of the match itself.
"You interact with players and officials from other clubs and other people you meet along the way, so you meet a lot of people doing umpiring.
"It's not just the umpires, it's the club people, match managers and people that actually run the club that you get to know a bit more because you go there quite often and you see them and talk to them."
The first round of NTFA division one and women's finals kick off on Friday night with Bridgenorth's women facing Old Launcestonians at Invermay Park.
From there, St Helens plays host to the women's qualifying final and men's elimination final on Saturday before Invermay Park holds division one's qualifying final.
Premier division's finals series starts next week.
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.
