Ernie is best known for being a fearless rugged defender for the Port Football Club, with an illustrious playing career, which included three premierships. Some time after Ernie retired from playing, he offered to help out with umpiring for couple of weeks and stayed for fifteen years, giving something back to the game he loves.

Last weekend the loveable character decided to hang up his whistle, announcing his retirement.

He has umpired his last match after accumulating 272 games.

Both a field and boundary umpire, Ernie received his 10-year certificate from the Port Pirie Football League Umpires Association in 2004 then was honoured with a Life Membership in 2005. Always keen to help the up and coming young umpires, he was given the umpiring mentors certificate in 2007. Ernie tells the tale about an experience he had while umpiring.

He was umpiring a match between Solly’s and Port and it is a known fact there is a fierce rivalry between the two clubs. During the match a Port player yelled, “Get the blue and white out of your eyes, obviously believing he was favouring Sollies and not a favourite son of the Port Club.

“I nearly swallowed my whistle, thinking don’t they know who I am,” said Ernie.

Ernie’s legacy to football was recognised by the Australian Football League when he received an award in 2001 for outstanding services to football.

– Val Rafanelli

ERNIE RETIRES...Ernie Rafanelli has retired from umpiring football. Football has been an intergral part of his life.