Since 1978 the AFLCUA has awarded a Best Umpire Award in each of the three senior disciplines (Field, Boundary and Goal), as nominated by the respective discipline coaches in that year. An umpire needs to officiate a minimum of 7 senior grade matches in a season to be eligible for these awards.
In 2023 perpetual trophies were donated by Colin Larter for the Best Umpire in each discipline. The trophies list all winners since 1978 and have been named after three umpiring Legends as follows:
- The Bob Stacey Perpetual Trophy for the Best Field Umpire
- The Scott Gurney Perpetual Trophy for the Best Boundary Umpire
- The Jack Perry Perpetual Trophy for the Best Goal Umpire
The recipients of the Best Umpire Awards have have been:
| Year |
Best Field Umpire
("Golden Whistle")
|
Best Boundary Umpire
("Silver Whistle")
|
Best Goal Umpire
("Silver Tankard")
|
| 2023 |
Flynn Kelly |
Damian Rutledge |
Emma Loaney |
| 2022 |
James Forwood |
Jacob Davill |
Rhys Daddow |
| 2021 |
Samuel Nippress |
Thomas Driscoll |
Scott Crowley |
| 2020 |
Nic McGinness |
Jacob Davill |
Ciara Briody |
| 2019 |
Tim O’Shea |
Jacob Davill |
Jerome Murillo |
| 2018 |
Sam Hurford |
Ian Edwards |
Rodney Burns |
| 2017 |
Ben Izzard |
Kye Doensen |
Ciara Briody |
| 2016 |
Ben Izzard |
Ben Fely |
Ciara Briody |
| 2015 |
Graham Stephan |
Aiden Visser |
David Bellew |
| 2014 |
Dom de Carvahlo |
Adam Forwood |
Harley Burton |
| 2013 |
Trav Stemper |
Aiden Visser |
Brett Kleidon |
| 2012 |
Nic McGinness |
Rocco Perre |
Kim Schultz |
| 2011 |
Shaun Haidon |
John Muir |
Dale Puren |
| 2010 |
Dom de Carvahlo |
Scott Gordon |
Dale Puren |
| 2009 |
Michael Kennealy |
Chris Simms |
Kate Griffiths |
| 2008 |
Greg Healy |
Luke Roberts |
John Jenkin |
| 2007 |
Michael Kennealy |
Luke Roberts |
Kate Griffiths |
| 2006 |
Michael Kennealy |
Luke Roberts |
James Savage |
| 2005 |
Michael Kennealy |
Luke Roberts |
Matt Ferguson |
| 2004 |
Ewen McDonald |
Jason Smith |
Andrew Miller |
| 2003 |
Michael Kennealy |
Jason Smith |
Colin Larter |
| 2002 |
Michael Kennealy |
Andrew Pearson |
Colin Larter |
| 2001 |
Andrew Toy |
Jason Smith |
Colin Larter |
| 2000 |
Bedri Sainovski |
Jason Smith |
Colin Larter |
| 1999 |
Bedri Sainovski |
Jason Smith |
Adrian Jensz |
| 1998 |
Bedri Sainovski |
Scott Gurney |
Adrian Jensz |
| 1997 |
Steve McDonald |
Jason Smith |
Adrian Jensz |
| 1996 |
Bedri Sainovski |
Shane Gurney |
Adrian Jensz |
| 1995 |
Peter Debeus |
David Ponsford |
Doug Malcolm |
| 1994 |
Bedri Sainovski |
Steve Donlan |
Peter White |
| 1993 |
Andrew Toy |
Steve Donlan |
Graeme Clarke |
| 1992 |
Bedri Sainovski |
Steve Donlan |
Doug Malcolm |
| 1991 |
Bedri Sainovski |
David Ponsford |
Ray McNicol |
| 1990 |
Andrew Toy |
Gary Lawson |
Doug Malcolm |
| 1989 |
Andrew Toy |
Gary Lawson |
Peter White |
| 1988 |
Shane Gnaden |
Peter Auld |
Graeme Clarke |
| 1987 |
David Pyne |
Luke Roberts |
Graeme Clarke |
| 1986 |
David Pyne |
Anthony Perry |
Eric Cant |
| 1985 |
Russell Taylor |
Russell Forster |
Jack Perry |
| 1984 |
Robert Stacey |
David Hinds |
John Milton |
| 1983 |
Richard Handcock |
Gary Hamersley |
Doug Malcolm |
| 1982 |
Robert Stacey |
Gary Lawson |
Jack Perry |
| 1981 |
Robert Stacey |
Michael Cawley |
Jack Perry |
| 1980 |
Robert Stacey |
Michael Cawley |
Karl Blundell |
| 1979 |
Robert Stacey |
David Hawes |
Colin Hassell |
| 1978 |
Robert Stacey |
Trevor Brown |
Don Selth |
