Max Blumfield

A rover originally from the country town of Murtoa, Max Blumfield was recruited to South Melbourne from amateur side Elsternwick during the war years. He served as a capable fringe player for the Swans, often finding himself on the edge of selection, a status that culminated in the defining moment of his playing days during the infamous 1945 finals series. Called into the side for the preliminary final to replace the ill Reg Richards, Blumfield performed admirably and booted a goal in a win over Collingwood, only to be heartbreakingly omitted for the Grand Final—the legendary "Bloodbath"—when Richards recovered the following week. After leaving South to play for Prahran in the VFA, Blumfield transitioned into umpiring, where he officiated 37 VFL games and notably required a police escort from the tribunal after reporting Essendon icon John Coleman. He later served as the chairman of the Umpires’ Appointment Board and is the uncle of 2000 Essendon premiership player Justin Blumfield.