Schwab axed as AFL starts umpiring reboot

FORMER Hawthorn head coach Peter Schwab has been dumped as head of the AFL umpiring department after less than a year in the position.

New AFL general manager of football operations Steve Hocking yesterday announced that Schwab had finished up in his role.

“Whilst I have enjoyed my year being the national head of umpiring and I thank the AFL for the opportunity, I have come to realise my passion and skill set lie more with football than they do with umpiring,” Schwab said in a statement.

Hocking will now undertake a wide-ranging review of the development and coaching program for umpires.

“Attracting and supporting umpires at every level of our game remains a considerable challenge, and building increased capacity in our umpiring department is a critical task for me as the new GM Football,” Hocking said.

Schwab replaced Wayne Campbell as the AFL umpires’ boss last December after Campbell was appointed general manager of football at Greater Western Sydney.

Schwab, 57, coached Hawthorn from 2000 to 2004, having previously played 171 games for the Hawks.