League Debut for Eagle-Eyed Emilie

By ZAC MILBANK

It’s fair to say SANFL Goal Umpire Emilie Hill didn’t think the scoreboard would have both teams locked on 4.15 (39) at the final siren of her Statewide Super League debut on Sunday.

But that’s exactly what unfolded for the 21-year-old, who had to put her positioning into practice during the tense finale between North Adelaide and Glenelg at Prospect Oval.

With the margin being no greater than 15 points throughout the afternoon, the Roosters found themselves in front by the smallest of advantages deep into time-on of the fourth quarter.

Then Hill found herself in the thick of the action at the Robran End as she signalled the behind kicked by Glenelg’s Darcy Bailey to tie up the scores in the 28th minute.

”It was a hard one to read because it could have easily bounced through the goals – it was like the ball had a mind of its own” said Hill, who is the second female Goal Umpire to officiate at SANFL League level.

”It was a great game to umpire because it was so exciting and it was a really good atmosphere as well because it was so close.

”I will always remember my first game because it was a draw.”

Originally from Clare, Hill started her goal umpiring career in an old-fashioned ”lab coat” waving the flags in the North Eastern Football League.

It was a passion developed from watching her father Mark Hill in action as a field umpire, later joining her Dad in officiating NEFL matches together.

After working between the goals in last year’s Torrens University Cup U18 Grand Final, Hill has steadily risen through the grades since starting with SANFL in 2016.

Now she is hungry for more Statewide Super League exposure, particularly with good friend and the first SANFL female Goal Umpire – Alannah Bruno, who made her debut in Round 9 last year.

”I’m sure that will happen some time soon – that will be a great day,” Hill said.

”Alannah’s a good friend of mine so we are both looking forward to that day.”