History will be made on Adelaide Oval this Sunday during the SANFL grand final when, for the first time in the league’s 147-year history the son of a former grand final umpire will officiate in the premiership decider.
Fourteen years after Richard Williams umpired his eleventh – and last – grand final, son Ben will blow the whistle in his first when Norwood take on Glenelg.
“I was just in a bit of shock. It took me a while to come to terms with it, and I was so excited,” Ben said.
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“I let Dad know, and I think he was even more excited than me,” Ben said.
Richard was quick to share his pride in his son’s accomplishment.
“I don’t normally get emotional, but I was. It all flooded out of me, and it was a proud family moment, really,” he said.
Ben’s journey to umpiring began at a young age, inspired by watching his father on the big stage. From the age of 13, he had no hesitation in following in his father’s footsteps, despite the occasional heckle from the crowd.
“When he was young, he used to come and watch, and he would say to the crowd, ‘you can’t say that about my Dad!’,” Richard said.
“But I think that’s held him in good stead. It’s like water off a duck’s back to him, really.”
Ben revealed much of the sledging he now cops is related to his father’s exploits.
“A lot of the time when you’re out there umpiring, you don’t really hear too much,” he said.
“Most of the stuff is mainly about Dad, saying, ‘You’re worse than your old man’ and all that.”
He’ll officiate alongside Sam Morgan and Mitchell Scott, the same trio that umpired last weekend’s preliminary final.
“It’s a huge honour,” Ben said.
“I went and watched Dad, he did 11 grand finals.
“I wasn’t there for all of them, but I have very fond memories of going to those games at Football Park back in the day. They were always huge, and I just absolutely loved it.
“Now, to be part of it myself, I just can’t wait.”
This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.
