This Sunday night’s Premiership decider between Penrith and Melbourne at Accor Stadium will be officiated by one of the best referees in the sport, Ashley Klein, who will make his way back to the Grand Final arena.

On Tuesday, NRL Executive General Manager – Elite Competitions Graham Annesley and General Manager Elite Officiating Jarrod Maxwell gave Klein the highly sought-after position as referee of his third NRL Grand Final.

Annesley stated, “Referees put in a lot of work throughout the year to be on Grand Final Day, just like players do.”

“I congratulate all of the appointed Match Officials on their appointment and wish them all the best for Sunday on behalf of the NRL.”

According to Maxwell, Klein has a great deal of experience because he refereed the whole State of Origin series earlier this year with success.

Ashley has a great deal of experience playing in big games and has performed admirably in the Finals Series. He has demonstrated the necessary aptitude and consistency throughout 2024, having reffed in all three State of Origins this year, he said.

Ashley celebrated his 400th NRL game officiating just a short while ago. Additionally, he has officiated 17 State of Origin games and 28 Finals matchups. That will come in very handy in a Premiership final.

David Munro and Chris Sutton, two touch judges, will be on the field with Klein, and Grant Atkins will serve as the Bunker Review Official.

Klein expressed his excitement at getting back into the middle on the most important day of the game.

He remarked, “This one means a lot.”

“Last year’s disappointment was undoubtedly a factor, but it also served as inspiration for me to perform well this year and return, and I’m looking forward to officiating what should be an amazing match between the top two teams in the league on Sunday.”

On Grand Final Day, Grant Atkins, a former instructor at Penola Catholic College in Emu Plains, will be returning to the NRL Bunker. The father from the area claimed that operating a bunker is a different kind of beast.

He remarked, “It’s a different type of officiating effectively, and it’s a different atmosphere altogether.”

“Clearly, there is more pressure to perform flawlessly when working in a bunker as opposed to on the field, where you have a little more freedom.”

This season, like others, refereeing has been under intense criticism due to a number of dubious decisions that have irritated players, coaches, and fans.

In his post-game news conference just last weekend, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary chastised the Bunker for the contentious choice to deny Sunia Turuva a try against the Sharks.

According to Klein, the secret to managing the stress of officiating is to tune out outside stimuli.

He declared, “I don’t read the media or have any interest in any of that.”

“It’s a matter of figuring out what we want to do as a team to officiate well in collaboration with my team, our NRL coaches, and our managers.” I don’t listen to all that external things because I have no influence over it.

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