Jeff Crouch

Who was Jeff Crouch?

Jeff Crouch was a leading Australian rules football field umpire in the Victorian Football League in the 1960s, and 1970s.

Crouch played in the 1953 Melbourne under-19s premiership and for Sandringham in the Victorian Football Association before umpiring five Grand Finals in a 10-season career. He was known for his excellent rapport with players. He became the VFL umpires advisor after retiring.

His umpiring career spanned from 1961 to 1970, and in total he umpired 186 games, including 15 finals matches. He umpired Grand Finals in 1963, 1965, 1966, 1968, and 1969.

He was named Victorian Father of the Year in 1989 and was a Director of the Royal Children's Hospital Appeal for 20 years.

Crouch was inducted to the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 1996.