2024 Golden Whistle Awards

By ZAC MILBANK

Highly-rated field umpire Mitch Scott has backed up his breakthrough 2023 campaign by winning consecutive Golden Whistle Awards.

Scott was awarded SANFL’s highest State League umpiring honour at the 2024 Golden Whistle awards ceremony at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.

After officiating in his third Hostplus SANFL League Grand Final in September, Scott was rewarded for his consistency, commitment and dedication in winning the League’s highest individual umpiring honour for the second year in succession.

”Mitch’s mature approach, continued commitment and dedication has ensured he’s continued to perform at a consistently high level,” SANFL Head of Umpiring Shane Harris said.

”Across the past two seasons, Mitch challenged himself in all aspects of field umpiring and credit to him, he has remained focused and committed to improving his umpiring both on and off the field over a sustained period of time.”

Now with a total of 164 SANFL League games under his belt since starting with the Umpiring Academy in 2012, Scott also officiated in his third West End State game this year at Optus Stadium, after making his debut in Perth in 2022.

Officiating in his fifth Hostplus SANFL League Grand Final this year, Martin Elsegood was awarded the Silver Whistle as the best performed boundary umpire in 2024.

Reaching his 200-game milestone in the 2024 Hostplus SANFL League Grand Final, Elsegood has featured in the past three title-deciders after making his first Grand Final appearance in 2017.

Retiring flag-waver Thomas Sharpe finished his SANFL League career on a high, snaring the 2024 Goal Umpiring Award.

Tallying a total of 206 League matches across his career, Sharpe officiated in his fourth Hostplus SANFL League Grand Final as Glenelg held off Norwood in 2024.

Umpire of the Year

Golden Whistle         Mitch Scott               

Silver Whistle            Martin Elsegood               

Goal Umpires Award         Tom Sharpe     

Most Improved Awards

Field Umpire     Zac Packard             

Boundary Umpire     James Haskard                                   

Goal Umpire     Tom Oxford              

Mark Posa Award for Outstanding New Talent

Patrick Backshall

Andrew Vickers Medallion

Giles Lewis

David Elliott Award

(For Outstanding Service to Umpiring)

Graham Badcock