Gary Fila

Who is Gary Fila?

Gary Fila is Australian rules football field umpire in the Australian Football League. Prior to joining the senior list, he umpired in the South Australian National Football League, and officiated in both the 2005 and 2006 SANFL grand finals. He made his AFL début on 30 June 2007, in a match between Fremantle and Carlton at Subiaco Oval.

At the end of the 2008 AFL Season, Fila was delisted from the AFL Panel after 16 matches. However, he spent 2009 and 2010 working hard to improve in the SANFL, in a bid to re-make the AFL. His effort was rewarded when he umpired the 2010 SANFL Grand Final alongside Richard Williams and Leigh Haussen, who was making his Grand Final debut. He also won South Australia's most prestigious umpiring honour that year- the Golden Whistle- ranking him as the best field umpire in the state.

Fila subsequently re-trialed for the AFL and was rewarded with a rookie spot. Whilst this was a step in the right direction, it meant he had to have another successful year at SANFL level. He did so, umpiring his 4th SANFL Grand Final in 2011, alongside Colin Rowston and Haussen. At the start of 2012, Fila was offered a senior spot on the AFL list, and had a successful return season, umpiring 20 matches.