Sell has been selected as one of the central umpires for the Hampden league senior football grand final between Camperdown and Koroit at Reid Oval. Joining him as central umpires for the game will be Casey O’Keefe and Sam Burns. 

The 35-year-old has served a thorough apprenticeship, officiating in two Warrnambool and District league senior grand finals as well as Hampden league reserves and under 18s season deciders.

He described his selection for the senior Hampden grand final as the highlight of his career so far.

“Certainly for our umpires, getting a Hampden senior grand final is the biggest thing we can do,” Sell said.

“It is something you aspire to and work hard to get the chance to do.

“I was a bit disappointed with how last year ended so I really knuckled down and trained harder and smarter to try and improve.”

Sell said he trains five times a week, a regime which includes running and gym work.

He said he watches a bit of local and AFL football and rates consistency as the key component of being a good umpire.

“I try and keep it basic, it is important umpires are consistent in their interpretations all day,” Sell said.

“It’s a tough job but I really enjoy it, I love footy but I was never any good at playing it so this is a great way to be close to the action.” 

Boundary umpires for the senior game will be James Rea, Caleb Millard, Sam Walker and Ethan Coates, the latter two will be making their grand final debuts.

Goal umpires will be Arno Pennings and  Peter Symons.

The reserves game umpires are Mick Lowther, Mick Soulsby  Shane Dempsey, (central), Kieran Doran, Neil Holland, Luke North (boundary), Pauline Pennings, John Mitchell (goals). 

The under 18.5s umpires are Nick Ross-Watson, Harry Rooke, Allistair Steele (central), Will Perris, Louis Sharman, Lachlan Shepherd (boundary), Andrew Taylor, Owen Drinkell (goals).   

Warrnambool and District Football Umpires Association director of umpiring Dedy Friebe said the grand final umpires were chosen from a strong field.

“We have picked the umpires in the best form who we think can competently and confidently handle a grand final,” Friebe said.

“Fortunately we have a strong pool of umpires to select from, both those with lots of experience and those newer to the ranks.

“It’s exciting with a young guy like Harry Rooke doing the under 18.5s and of course Gavin Sell stepping up for his first senior grand final.

“These big games are a great reward for the work our guys do week in week out.”