Jacob Mollison couldn't resist the temptation of watching the pre-match entertainment in the lead-up to the biggest moment of his AFL umpiring career on Saturday night.
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He claimed a slice of history by becoming the first field umpire from the Border to officiate in an AFL grand final.
Despite the momentous occasion, Mollison got to soak up some of the atmosphere before the first bounce.
"I managed to sneak a look at Baker Boy and a bit of Eskimo Joe and John Butler," Mollison said.
"I thought to myself, you never know if you are going to get this chance again so I may as well embrace it.
"I didn't see any of the half-time entertainment though and tried to remain focussed and get ready for the second-half."
Mollison started his career in the O&M and made his AFL debut in 2008 and has gone on to complete 281 games and seven finals at the elite level.
Surprisingly, he was able to keep his nerves in check before the decider and was overwhelmed by the support of friends and colleagues after being announced as one of three umpires on Tuesday.
"I didn't sleep too bad on Friday night and managed to keep the nerves under control," he said.
"There was no doubt a few butterflies before the game but I felt comfortable out on the ground which was great.
"The support has been overwhelming.
"I didn't realise how much the achievement meant to so many people.
"Especially back at home in Albury-Wodonga and the umpiring group that taught me so much early on in my career.
"It's been amazing the amount of texts and calls that I have received."
Despite being his first grand final, Mollison had the honour of tossing the coin before the first bounce.
"Matt Stevic is an experienced campaigner and was doing his ninth grand final and he wanted to take the first bounce to get things underway," Mollison said.
"So I put up my hand to take the toss which was great."
Mollison was happy with his performance in front of the packed Optus Stadium in Perth where 61,118 fans watched Melbourne snap its 57-year premiership drought.
"I felt like we did a solid job and teamed really well," he said.
"We did the things we expect of each other to get a good team performance and let the players decide the match which certainly happened."
Mollison said umpiring in front of a packed Optus Stadium was an unforgettable experience.
"You feel for everyone in Victoria doing it tough at the moment," he said.
"But Perth put on an amazing show and the noise in the stadium and the spectacle it was.
"They did a fantastic job of hosting the grand final and should be really proud."
After spending the past five weeks in Perth away from his wife and young family, Mollison attended an official AFL function at Crown Towers on Saturday night before catching a flight back home on Sunday.
"The after match function was great, we got to have a few drinks and celebrate the night away," he said.
"It was a fantastic experience.
"But I can't wait to get home now and see the wife and kids.
"It's been a crazy year for everyone involved with the AFL and the umpires have done an incredible job in the circumstances as has the AFL."
Former AFL National Umpire Manager and Wodonga Bulldogs' premiership coach Jeff Gieschen said Mollison did himself proud.
Gieschen was barracking for the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night after playing 24 matches for Footscray in the VFL from 1974-78.
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"I was more focussed on watching the Bulldogs than I was the umpires on Saturday night," Gieschen said.
"But personally I didn't notice the umpires that much which is a pretty good sign that they are doing their job.
"From Jacob's point of view, he just seemed to blend into the game and handled the big occasion really well.
"Considering it was his first grand final there was no hint of nerves.
"I thought it was an impressive performance."
Mollison officiated in O&M grand finals 2002, 2003 and 2004before crossing to the AFL.
"Jacob getting to umpire an AFL grand final is well deserved," Gieschen said.
"He has been in the AFL system for 13 or 14 years now and it's just a great reward for his perseverance.
"When he first arrived in the AFL he was very young but had did his apprenticeship in the O&M which is a good standard.
"I always thought he had the potential of umpire an AFL grand final."
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