Montana’s MCG thrill of a lifetime
A stroll into the centre of the MCG as the crowd builds before a game was the thrill of a lifetime for AFL North Coast umpire Montana Harvey.
The amazing opportunity for the umpire came via AFL Female Mentorship Program that Montana has been selected to be part of. A program that is run by AFL field umpire Eleni Tee.
“When I became part of the program I started following Eleni on Instagram and she followed me back and we’ve sent each other messages from time to time,” Montana said.
“I let her know that I was going to Melbourne during my Uni holidays to watch a Hawthorn game and then Eleni got in touch with me to say ‘I’ve actually organised with the AFL to go down to the rooms and meet the umps’.”
So not only was Montana about to see her beloved Hawthorn for the first time, she and her father Aaron were now about to meet with AFL umpires Ray Chamberlain, Brent Wallace, Martin Rodger and James Strybos.
Meeting ‘Razor Ray’ was actually the completion of a full circle for the 19 year-old who is studying teaching at Southern Cross University in Coffs Harbour.
“In Year 12 when I was studying Society and Culture we had to do a major project and I did mine about umpire abuse. At the time Ray was doing a podcast and I contacted him through that and asked if he could help with my research,” she explained.
“We’ve been in contact ever since and when Dad & I went down to the rooms and I met him, he treated me like we were a pair of old buds.”
Shortly after came the unexpected opportunity to actually go out to the centre of the mighty Melbourne Cricket Ground.
“To be out there in the middle of the MCG and just look at the stands, it takes your breath away,” Montana said.
“I actually did a couple of ball-ups in the middle. It was amazing and Dad said it was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
“I umpired a half time game at Metricon a few years ago but this beats that hands down.”
To make Montana’s day even better, the Hawks caused an upset with a come from behind victory over the Brisbane Lions.
