Weekly Times | A SENIOR umpire was recovering in hospital earlier this week after collapsing during the Sunraysia league grand final on Saturday.
Field umpire Michael Breewel fell to the ground in the first quarter complaining of chest pains, in Red Cliffs’ pulsating 15.9 (99) to 14.7 (91) comeback win over Imperials.
Breewel was later taken to Mildura Base Hospital via ambulance.
“Initial testing confirmed it was a mild heart attack,” Sunraysia Football Umpires Association secretary Rod Beer said. “But second and subsequent testing has not confirmed the original diagnosis.”
Beer said Breewel was transferred from Mildura Base Hospital to Mildura Private Hospital following improvement in his condition.
Sunraysia league administration manager Peter Walker said it was fortunate that two off-duty paramedics were on site to treat Breewel before an ambulance arrived.
“It’s actually lucky it happened that day, not out somewhere more isolated like the Millewa league or somewhere else,” Walker said.
Walker described Breewel as one of the top umpires in the area, who was “always officiating” senior football.
Breewel was treated on the boundary line, allowing the game to continue without any major disruption.
Rob Greenwood, who had earlier umpired the reserves final, stepped in to officiate the remaining three quarters.
Red Cliffs secured back-to-back flags after converting a 22-point quarter-time deficit into an eight-point victory.
Imperials were “warm favourites”, according to Walker, having belted the Tigers by scores of 51, 68 and 35 points in each meeting this season.