Referee buzzing for final whistle

HE has been running the lines and controlling the middle for more than 17 seasons, but Football Queensland North referee Graham Buzzi still feels the importance of grand final week.

While he has learnt to treat the game just like any other once the whistle blows, the 33year-old said he still enjoyed the build-up to the big dance.

After four years watching on from the sideline or as fourth official, Buzzi will return to the middle for Saturday’s Premier League decider between MA Olympic and Brothers.

After officiating a reserves semi-final to an 12-11 shootout and then last week’s women’s Premier League preliminary through 30 minutes of extra time, Buzzi was adamant he was “ready for anything” when the two sides clash.

“Everyone wants to be involved in a grand final in some way, they are always a good achievement for the year,” Buzzi said.

“I haven’t done one for four years, it has been a little while. I have always been involved, I have been on the games as an assistant or fourth official but it is what you aspire to. You want to be in the middle for that game.

“Come Saturday night you never know what the game could pop. I have to be ready for anything. I have to be ready for it to go 120 minutes if it does.

“I referee those grand finals the same as I would any other weekend. You have to treat it like a normal game.”

Buzzi, who played football as a junior, switched to the refereeing ranks in his late teenage years.

He has consistently grown as a referee over the better part of the last two decades to become one of the region’s most respected officials.

Now he has turned to passing down his knowledge, regularly running the lines in the lower grades to help educate young referees coming through the ranks.

In what can be a very thankless job between the criticisms from players, coaches and spectators, the development of the next generation has been one constant to keep him going.

“I have done a fair bit in the game as a referee, a lot more than I would have as a player,” Buzzi said. “Passing on what I have learnt to younger referees is great and at the end of the day, I do love the game. I wouldn’t still be there if I didn’t love what I was doing.

“Even with what comes with the job, I have not lost my love for football.

“Copping the criticism is part and parcel of the job, but I am lucky I have a great team out on the field with me and there is a lot of support there.”