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Reports: Klein set to be axed for Grand Final
SEN • September 29th, 2025 10:14 pm
Ashley Klein is expected not to referee in Sunday’s NRL Grand Final.
This comes following his performance in Friday’s Preliminary Final between the Melbourne Storm and the Cronulla Sharks, which saw Klein give 18 penalties, with the majority of these coming in the first half.
As a result of these calls, this saw the ball in play for only 22 minutes during the first 40 minutes, with Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon calling into question why the whistle was blown so much during the match.
If these reports are true, it will be the first time since 2021 that Klein has not been either the referee or in the bunker for the NRL’s biggest match.
With Klein seemingly out of the equation, the honour of being the referee is reportedly set to go to Grant Atkins for the 2025 decider.
The 43-year-old has previously been a part of the match official team for a grand final, having been the Senior Review Official in the 2021, 2022 and 2024 editions.
But it will be the first time that Atkins will be the head referee of an NRL Grand Final if selected.
The Grand Final will take place on October 5 between the Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos.
The referees alongside the matchday squads will be confirmed on Tuesday.
