SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 04: Referee Ashley Klein gives a penalty during the round 20 NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Parramatta Eels at WIN Jubilee Stadium on August 04, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
The referees for the NRL and NRLW grand finals, as well as the State Challenge, have been confirmed, with Ashley Klein to take the whistle in the main game.
The appointment came down to Klein and Grant Atkins, who refereed last week’s preliminary finals, however, Klein, who refereed all three State of Origin games earlier this year, has won the race to take the whistle.
Atkins will take up residence in the bunker.
Gerard Sutton, who has refereed the last two grand finals on his own since the NRL went back to the one referee system, and before that had been involved in the previous three grand finals, will play no part in grand final day.
For Klein, it will be the first time he has been in charge of a grand final as the sole referee, having partnered Sutton during the 2018 decider between the Roosters and Storm.
Phil Henderson and Drew Oultram have been selected as the touch judges.
Kasey Badger will take charge of the NRLW decider between the Knights and Eels a little earlier in the afternoon, with Adam Gee, who was in the top four referees this season having been involved from the bunker in last week’s preliminary finals, taking the spot in the bunker.
Jordan Morel and Tori Wilkie will be on the sidelines.
Darian Furner meanwhile will take charge of the State Challenge between the NSW Cup and QLD Cup premiers, with Chris Butler to man the bunker, while Cameron Paddy and Dan Munro will run the sidelines from the state leagues.
Grand final day match officials
State Challenge
Penrith Panthers vs Norths Devils, 1:20pm
Referee: Darian Furner
Touch judges: Cameron Paddy and Dan Munro
Bunker official: Chris Butler
NRLW grand final
Newcastle Knights vs Parramatta Eels, 3:55pm
Referee: Kasey Badger
Touch judges: Jordan Morel and Tori Wilkie
Bunker official: Adam Gee
NRL grand final
Penrith Panthers vs Parramatta Eels, 7:30pm
Referee: Ashley Klein
Touch judges: Phil Henderson and Drew Oultram
Bunker official: Grant Atkins
Source:: ZeroTackle
