Football SA is pleased to announce that South Australian match official Daniel Elder has been appointed to the A-League Men’s Grand Final between Melbourne City and Western United.
For the second consecutive season, Daniel will be involved in the biggest match in Australian Men’s football, with his appointment as Fourth Official for the decider on Saturday evening. Daniel refereed 12 matches during the 2021-22 season, and was appointed to referee the Elimination Final between Adelaide United and Central Coast Mariners in mid-May. This appointment to the A-League Men’s Grand Final comes in the same season that Daniel was appointed to FIFA’s Panel of International Referees.
Locally in South Australia, Daniel is an active referee in the Senior Men’s competitions, taking charge of matches across our top competitions in between A-League Men’s assignments.
Further, Daniel is the Lead Instructor of the Football SA Referee Academy, formed in 2020 to provide promising and dedicated young match officials with the opportunity to receive specialised training and coaching. Daniel is also a member of the Football South Australia Referee Coaching Advisory Group.
Daniel reflected on his 2021-22 national league season and appointment to the A-League Men’s Grand Final, saying:
"After a challenging season for all involved in Australian Football, I'm honoured to be a part of the referee team for this weekend's A-League Men's Grand Final - a team that includes three recently selected FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 referees! I'd like to thank all my coaches, colleagues, family and friends who have supported me throughout yet another year, and I look forward to a great final match of the season between two worthy competitors in Melbourne City and Western United."
Football SA State Referees Committee Chair Michelle Smith congratulated Daniel on his appointment this Saturday, saying:
"Another outstanding season by Elder culminating a prestigious appointment of 4th official in the Grand Final, in what has been a complex and challenging season on many levels . We are incredibly proud of Daniel and wish him and the rest of the team all the very best for the Grand Final."