Exclusive: Razor Ray to return to umpiring after two-year retirement

RESPECTED AFL field umpire Ray Chamberlain is again coming back out of retirement for the upcoming AFLW season.

The man known as “Razor” will take charge of Sunday’s season-opening Spud’s Game clash between St Kilda and Carlton at Marvel Stadium.

Chamberlain, a veteran of 389 AFL games, including 31 finals and three Grand Finals, will then umpire intermittently throughout the women’s season.

“I won’t lie, there’ll be a few butterflies because you want to do it well and do a good job,” Chamberlain told SEN.com.au.

“The Chamberlain Foundation, my brothers and I, we’ve got a long-standing history of supporting the Danny Frawley Centre and we’ve got a great relationship with Chelsea (Frawley) and the family and I’m looking forward to supporting Spud’s Game on the weekend.”

While the 49-year-old has “no desire” to rejoin the AFL ranks, he will get back behind the whistle for the women’s season to help the development of umpires coming through the ranks.

“It’s not ‘look at me’. There’s a need there and I do love umpiring AFLW,” Chamberlain said.

“It’s actually great fun, you want to do it well and you want to support what they’re doing.”

Chamberlain umpired his last AFL game in 2024, but last year got back behind the whistle for the AFLW season.

He has since kept himself in good shape and has officiated amateur games across the state in recent times.