Mark Fraser (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Mark Fraser is a former Australian rules football
er and umpire in the Australian Football League
.
, is the son of former Essendon Football Club
champion Ken
, who played 198 games over 11 seasons with them. Mark debuted with Collingwood
in 1992 and played 14 games in his first season.
After 35 games with Collingwood, Fraser quit the club and was recruited by his father's former club, Essendon. He was played on the wing position but was only a depth player in his first 3 seasons at the club, and it wasn't until 1998 that he became a regular senior team member. In 1999 he continued his good form, which included a 27-disposal haul against Melbourne in Round 22.
2000 was Fraser's final year, and not being able to break into the premiership winning side saw him forced into retirement after 65 games with the Bombers, for a career total of 110.
. In 2004, Fraser was brought onto the AFL umpires' rookie list, and debuted in a Wizard Cup
match in 2004.
Fraser became the 45th player in the VFL/AFL to also officiate as an umpire on 7 May 2005 at the Gabba when he umpired the Brisbane Lions v Western Bulldogs match. He was praised by umpires coach Jeff Gieschen
for his "decision-making" but was criticised for his poor bouncing, which led to talk from coaches in the AFL looking at removing the centre bounce from the game. Fraser umpired three matches during this stint and remained on the list for 2006, but was injured before Round 1.
In May 2007 Fraser announced his retirement from umpiring due a hip injury. He became chairman of the AFL Match Review Panel in 2010.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er and umpire in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
.
Playing career
Fraser, from Montmorency, VictoriaMontmorency, Victoria
Montmorency is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 18 km north-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Banyule. At the 2006 Census, Montmorency had a population of 8176...
, is the son of former Essendon Football Club
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
champion Ken
Ken Fraser
Ken Fraser is a former Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football League .Ken Fraser was an outstanding centre half-forward, Essendon Football Club captain, premiership captain and player, and Victorian representative.In 2001 Fraser was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of...
, who played 198 games over 11 seasons with them. Mark debuted with Collingwood
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
in 1992 and played 14 games in his first season.
After 35 games with Collingwood, Fraser quit the club and was recruited by his father's former club, Essendon. He was played on the wing position but was only a depth player in his first 3 seasons at the club, and it wasn't until 1998 that he became a regular senior team member. In 1999 he continued his good form, which included a 27-disposal haul against Melbourne in Round 22.
2000 was Fraser's final year, and not being able to break into the premiership winning side saw him forced into retirement after 65 games with the Bombers, for a career total of 110.
Umpiring career
Fraser pursued a career in umpiring following his retirement and by 2003 had umpired in the Victorian Football LeagueVictorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
. In 2004, Fraser was brought onto the AFL umpires' rookie list, and debuted in a Wizard Cup
Australian Football League pre-season competition
The Australian Football League pre-season competition, which is known at present as the NAB Cup, is a competition held before the beginning of the Australian Football League premiership season...
match in 2004.
Fraser became the 45th player in the VFL/AFL to also officiate as an umpire on 7 May 2005 at the Gabba when he umpired the Brisbane Lions v Western Bulldogs match. He was praised by umpires coach Jeff Gieschen
Jeff Gieschen
Jeff Gieschen is a former Australian rules football player who played in the Victorian Football League between 1974 and 1978 for the Footscray Football Club. He was senior coach of the Richmond Football Club from late in the 1997 season until the end of 1999...
for his "decision-making" but was criticised for his poor bouncing, which led to talk from coaches in the AFL looking at removing the centre bounce from the game. Fraser umpired three matches during this stint and remained on the list for 2006, but was injured before Round 1.
In May 2007 Fraser announced his retirement from umpiring due a hip injury. He became chairman of the AFL Match Review Panel in 2010.