FIELD umpire Rhett Hollick (left), boundary umpire Brad Hunt (middle) and goal umpire Jonathan Laycock (bottom) were all recognised as winners of pre-season medals during the umpires’ annual Panel Night held last month.
Hollick won the Ross Capes Medal as the best field umpire of the summer after an impressive pre-season that saw him run personal best times and umpire to a wonderful standard throughout practice games.
With 27 league games under his belt before the year, Hollick has had to overcome injuries in the past, but now appears set to enjoy a strong 2010.
Hunt’s form followed on from his appointment to the 2009 reserves grand final. Supremely fit, Hunt won the Ron Hall Medal as the stellar boundary umpire of the pre-season.
Elevated to the leadership group in a vote by his peers, Hunt was also elected vice-captain behind field umpire Gavin Statham.
Laycock had won the Merv Rose Medal previously, but there were few people in the room who didn’t predict his victory. The goal umpire took on a new fitness regime over summer and dominated the running sessions. His times were comparable to many field umpires as he took goal umpire training to a new level.
One of the other goal umpires who trained strongly over summer, Luke Edwards, was rewarded with his league debut after knocking on the door for several years.
Panel Night was moved from Subiaco Oval to the clubrooms at Ernest Johnson Reserve this year and totally revamped. Field 
umpire David Moon took on the job as MC and had the audience rolling in laughter while interviews with a variety of umpires and coaches throughout the night ensured there was plenty to keep everyone interested.
The new umpires to the panel were also recognised.
Panel Night is one of many functions held by the umpires throughout the year.
Harry’s Night, which recognises the trainers, the Hall of Fame induction ceremony that celebrates retired greats, Presentation Night on the eve of the finals and the Grand Final dinner are also key moments on the umpiring calendar.
