Shaun Ryan discusses life in Sydney as an AFL umpire during the COVID-19 pandemic

The Warrnambool export relocated indefinitely a fortnight ago to officiate matches between the league's six New South Wales hub teams.

The AFL evacuated all Victorian-based teams last week as COVID-19 cases rose significantly in Melbourne.

Ryan, now based in Torquay, said while leaving his children and wife was difficult, his umpiring colleagues were embracing the challenge.

"There's no pressure from the AFL. If it gets unsustainable for me in terms of work and family, I'll be able to head home," he told The Standard.

"It's just a matter of how long I can stay. Some guys are happy to stay as long as needed and I think for others, it might be their individual circumstances mean they'll have to go back at some stage."

He said umpires were allowed to be "out and about" but were erring on the side of caution.

"We're in a hotel - the Mantra - at the moment. We can still be out and about but we just have to be careful," Ryan said.

"We have to be careful with things like public transport, restaurants, gyms, that kind of thing.

"But we can still get out and train and do that sort of stuff."

The eight-time grand final umpire said a positive mindset was vital to navigating the AFL's coronavirus situation successfully.

"It's challenging on both ends - you miss your family and you've got your wife at home who is handling all the duties for the kids and that sort of thing and that's tough on them," Ryan said.

"I think everyone has the mindset that it's just for the short term and once the season's done, hopefully next year we're back to normal.

"(It's important) for umpires to support each other because it's a really strange environment and mentally it can be challenging sometimes.

"It has provided us with good opportunities to get to know each other. There are some new guys on our list that haven't done many games yet and you get the chance to link with them for a period of time.

"You get to know their back-story and all that sort of stuff."

Ryan, who officiated Richmond's premiership victory over Greater Western Sydney last year, said umpiring without crowds was a "lot different".

He said the absence of crowds highlighted how important fan participation was for the spectacle of the sport.

"It was a lot different. You realise how important the crowd is for the atmosphere and the environment," Ryan said.

"Initially it did feel like a practice match in terms of environment. I think everyone is starting to adjust to it now.

"It's good to see some games in Perth with some crowds allowed now."

Ryan, 45, said he was still finding joy in the challenge of umpiring at football's highest level. Ryan will umpire GWS Giants' clash with Brisbane on Saturday.

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