Carlton’s Andrew ‘Carrots’ Carrazzo might be running out onto the MCG in navy blue for the final time this weekend – but the Blues veteran might return in lime green!
Carrazzo this week revealed he will retire following Saturday’s clash with Hawthorn, but the midfielder says he hasn’t ruled out a possible move into umpiring.
“It would be a huge challenge but it’s something I’m confident I’d be good at,” Carrazzo told SEN on Wednesday morning.
The former vice-captain says he’ll take a well-earned break after Round 23 to clear his head and decide what’s best for him and his family, but umpiring is on the cards.
“I’m going to take a few weeks off after the season and just catch my breath with everything so I can transition into the next phase, and doing the umpiring thing is certainly an option.
“I still love the game of footy and I feel like I know it better than anything else, so if it’s something I do decide to do, I’ll want to commit to that 100 per cent,” he said.
Former AFL players Leigh Fisher and Jordan Bannister joined the umpiring ranks after they hung up the boots, and have since forged successful careers as whistle blowers. Like Fisher and Bannister, Carrazzo could undertake the same program, which could include some level of “fast-tracking” due to his experience.
“If I did commit to it and do it, I would certainly have to do the hard yards and learn the skill of umpiring. I’d have to go and learn my craft at the lower levels and then if I’m up to it I’d progress up to the AFL.”
Instead of being clapped onto the ground, cheered for a goal-saving tackle or applauded for his run and carry along the wing, Carrazzo could find himself in unfamiliar territory when booing starts being hurled from over the fence.
“I’ve gotten to know some of the umpires in a short period of time and I think since I started to think about it (umpiring) I’ve gained even more respect for just how difficult a job it is.”
Hard work and determination are trademarks of the Blues’ No. 44. As he has in his playing career, Carrazzo joked he’d “aim to dominate the game” if he became an umpire.
“Like my playing style I’d probably end up having a personality as an umpire,” he laughed.