Danny O'Brien racing manager Jack Howard to make AFL field umpire debut in Richmond-Sydney clash at MCG
Jack Howard, an Australian Rules field umpire and racing manager for Flemington trainer Danny O'Brien, is set for a dream AFL debut on Saturday at the MCG.
The passionate AFL-listed whistleblower, called up for the Richmond-Sydney clash, has officiated the past two VFL grand finals and performed well in the state league.
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'It was a bit more relief for me but you do realise how important it is when you start calling friends and family and they're just over the moon,' Howard said.
'The old man burst into tears … they've (parents) sacrificed a lot, a lot before I got my licence, driving me around.'
Howard started umpiring Essendon District junior football at 12 and advanced into senior ranks, including a career-shaping season in Darwin, with a goal to make the AFL.
Working in racing the past decade, a stable hand initially mucking out boxes before going to university to complete a teaching degree, has steeled field umpire Howard.
'I've sort of chosen three careers in my life where you get more criticism than praise and they've all helped with each other,' Howard said.
Howard credited the ongoing support of Melbourne Cup-winning trainer O'Brien and stable general manager Matt Harrington.
'It's been a sustained couple of years of really putting my head down,' Howard said.
'I had a good chat with Danny four years ago and had to make a decision whether I continued on … set some goals I had to achieve and got them.
'I couldn't have done it without his and Matt's support … It helps Danny and Matt love footy and we've got a great group of staff … that allow me to chase both careers.'
Howard conceded Monday footy banter could become tricky should he be allocated any Hawthorn (O'Brien) or North Melbourne (Harrington) games in the future.
'I have joked I might have to chuck a sickie on a Monday to let the water go under the bridge before I walk back into the office,' Howard laughed.
'To be honest, outside the standard banter there's not a lot of football discussion, especially umpiring and that.
'They understand it's a difficult job and very much like racing, you get a lot more criticism than you do pats on the back for it.'
O'Brien is able to be at the MCG to support Howard, with one important stable runner on Saturday, Politely Dun, in the Group 1 Queensland Derby.
'Dan's decided he's going to come along to the 'G, it just shows the support I've got from him and his family,' Howard said.
'When I told them (Danny and wife Nina on) Monday when I found out they were over the moon.'
The Richmond-Sydney match should be finished in time, and Brownlow votes logged accordingly, for Howard to catch the Queensland Derby live at 3.52pm.
'It's actually worked out well,' Howard said.
'We don't have any runners at Flemington this week and Politely Dun in the rescheduled Queensland Derby.
'He's a really good chance up there, I really like the horse. It would be, hopefully, a great day for the stable.'
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