Warrnambool and District Football Umpires Association's Josh McMahon to debut

Josh McMahon will become the third senior umpire debutant this season when he officiates his first match in the top grade on Saturday.

The 26-year-old will officiate alongside close friend Gavin Sell, who convinced him to join the association this season, for the Panmure and Russells Creek game.

"Gavin has been umpiring here for quite a while and I used to work with him selling cars so for a couple of years he has been saying 'get up, get up' and then I decided this year," McMahon said of why he joined.

"I noticed they were short and I wanted to give back to the community so I thought I would come up and have a bit of a run and I just started off to see if I would like it then I did a couple of games and I'm loving it.

"I would recommend anyone come up here and give it a go."

The former Old Collegians player, who played juniors and reserves at the club, said the friendly environment was what he loved about umpiring.

"Everyone is really friendly and welcoming and if you're not 100 per cent about the rules and the laws of the game they always help you out," he said.

"Fitness is also another thing as on average I run 15ks a game, which keeps the fitness levels right up and you're still involved in the footy and around the football clubs as well.

"They're like a football club, you're just not playing footy but you're still around it, come to training two times a week, have Wednesday night dinners and have social events after games.

"It's exactly the same kind of atmosphere."

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McMahon, who retired from football due to work two years ago, said the transition into umpiring was made easier because of his time as a player.

"Being a player you get a bit of a head start with the rules of the game but it's just about knowing the nitty gritty," he said.

"I was watching a bit of YouTube and there is heaps of videos on YouTube that helped me get to know the nitty gritty and I like that.

"But the only way for me to learn, personally, is to get out there and do it and you just pick it up and away you go."

McMahon, who cut his teeth in the caper umpiring Hampden league under 18s, said positioning was the hardest adjustment he had to make.

"Being a footy player you want to be around the ball but as an umpire you have to take a few steps back and really open up your vision," he said.

"You have to have a wide lens on and not focus on the ball and what your surroundings are and picking up the little things."

As for chatting back, McMahon won't accept it.

"Some players get worked up and I understand that but I personally don't get worked up about it," he said.

"It's water off a ducks back for me it doesn't faze me but I don't condone it and I don't like hearing players deal with umpires like that. I will pull people up."

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