Troy Pannell, a former AFL umpire, faced turmoil approximately five years after his retirement. Having spent 16 years in referee roles, Pannell was working in the shipping industry until June 2024, when he was suspended amid a fraud investigation linked to SeaRoad Shipping. This suspension resulted in the freezing of his assets and loss of his job, contributing to significant personal distress.
During this challenging period, Pannell struggled to support his two children, leading to a decline in his mental health. His lawyer, Jessica Clarebrough, reported that the stress stemming from the investigation and his sudden unemployment greatly affected him, as he worried about the repercussions on his family.
The situation escalated when Pannell failed to appear at the Supreme Court regarding the asset freeze, leading to arrest warrants. In response, he communicated with his family before embarking on a solo journey across South Australia, New South Wales, and Victoria, revisiting memories from his childhood. In a state of panic over the warrants, Pannell attempted to take his own life and subsequently evaded police on two occasions before crashing his vehicle in early June.
Pannell later appeared via video link at Heidelberg Magistrates Court, where he pleaded guilty to three offences: possessing property suspected to be proceeds of crime, failing to stop for police, and evading police. The offences were linked to a vehicle and items he unlawfully kept from his employer, Demos Property Services. Despite the serious nature of the charges, the magistrate imposed a six-month good behaviour bond, temporarily revoked Pannell’s driver’s licence, and disqualified him from driving for six months. If he maintains good behaviour, his charges could be dismissed by January 2026.
Additionally, he is grappling with a contempt of court charge in the Supreme Court alongside the ongoing fraud allegations from SeaRoad. A separate hearing for these charges is set for Friday. Notably, Pannell officiated over 200 AFL matches during his career, gaining attention for certain high-profile incidents, including awarding an unprecedented number of free kicks in a single game and suffering a concussion from an accidental encounter on the field.
For those in need of support, helplines such as Lifeline and Beyond Blue are available for assistance.