- AFL to pay tribute to Luke Davies and Jesse Baird
- Baird was a member of the refereeing community.
- Clubs and referees will wear black armbands
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The first game of the 2024 AFL season will feature a tribute to murdered couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies.
Baird, 26, appeared as a goal umpire in more than 60 AFL matches and was remembered on Wednesday as a popular and respected member of the AFL umpiring family.
His partner, Mr Davies, 29, was a lifelong Sydney Swans fan.
Players and referees will gather for the tribute before Thursday night’s season opener between Sydney and Melbourne at the SCG.
Both clubs and referees will also wear black armbands during the match as a sign of respect.
The first game of the AFL season will feature a tribute to couple Jesse Baird (pictured with a fellow football official) and Luke Davies.
Baird (right) is an AFL goal umpire and has refereed several games, including the 2018 AFL Grand Final premiere. Davies (left) was a lifelong Swans supporter.
Baird debuted on the AFL umpiring list in 2020 and moved to Sydney in 2023, where he continued his AFL umpiring career, which spanned 62 matches, including two finals.
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said Baird developed many close friendships as a result of his time in the AFL.
“He was such a vibrant, fun-loving person, who was deeply committed to officiating,” Dillon said.
“A pre-game tribute to Jesse and Luke tomorrow night is a small way for us all to reflect and remember two young men during a very difficult time for their families and friends.”
Baird’s fellow football referee and close friend Brett Rosebury said he will be remembered for his positivity.
‘Jesse was more than a colleague, he was a dear friend who I valued. I loved refereeing with him and being around him,” Rosebury said.
“As a young goalkeeper, he always brought great positivity to the team in the locker room and was very talented on and off the field.”
Fellow referee Steve Piperno added: “Jesse leaves a deep void that words struggle to capture.
AFL boss Andrew Dillon said Baird developed many close friendships within the AFL.
Both clubs and referees will also wear black armbands during the opening match as a tribute to Baird (pictured left).
‘Anyone who met Jesse was struck by his incredible energy and spirit of life. “We were lucky to have him as part of our referee family.”
David Dixon, the AFL’s national goal umpire coach, said Baird was able to “put a smile on everyone’s face” and “make you feel like the most important person in every interaction”.
The couple’s bodies were found inside surfboard bags on February 27 at a rural property in Bungonia, near Goulburn, about 200 kilometers southwest of Sydney.
NSW Police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon is accused of shooting the couple with his service weapon while off duty on February 19.