Ashley Klein has been appointed because the NRL’s grand last referee as head workplace heeded Penrith coach Ivan Cleary’s name and neglected Chris Butler for officiating duties.
Klein will take cost of Sunday’s decider between the Panthers and Melbourne in what represents his third NRL grand last appointment.
However Butler was snubbed within the aftermath of Penrith’s preliminary last win over Cronulla.
Butler was the video referee who incorrectly took a strive off the Panthers for an obstruction name and earned the ire of Cleary.
The Penrith coach stated the appointment of a grand last bunker official was the largest the NRL’s soccer division may make this yr.
Butler was not included in a listing of officers launched by the NRL on Tuesday, with Grant Atkins named because the video referee.
“Ashley has been glorious within the finals sequence and comes with huge expertise in massive video games,” stated NRL head of match officers Jared Maxwell.
“He refereed in all three State of Origins this yr, and has proven the required consistency and aptitude all through 2024.
“Solely very just lately, Ashley celebrated his four-hundredth sport as an NRL referee.
“He has additionally refereed in 28 finals matches and 17 State of Origins. That have shall be invaluable in a premiership decider.”
David Munro and Chris Sutton shall be Klein’s contact judges.
Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, in the meantime, will referee the NRLW grand last between the Sydney Roosters and Cronulla.
AAP
