Axe falls on leading referee as Ashley Klein dumped from NRL grand final
Updated . First published at
Leading NRL referee Ashley Klein has been overlooked for the 2025 grand final.
Previously considered the game's leading whistle blower, Klein copped criticism for a monstrous penalty count during Friday night's preliminary final in Melbourne.
He has been dumped from the top job for Sunday night's premiership decider, with Grant Atkins to referee the men's game.
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Atkins has arguably been the form referee in the NRL for some time but has been overlooked for big games while Klein and Gerard Sutton have landed plum jobs.
On Friday night, Klein irked players, coaches and fans when he blew 18 penalties, many of which could have been let go to let the game flow.
Referee Ashley Klein speaks to Cameron Munster. Getty
"I just think he was a little bit sensitive for the game," NRL legend Brad Fittler told The Sunday Footy Show.
"You've got to give the game room to breathe and I don't think he allowed that. There was a lot of high tackles and a lot of contact penalties given that most probably weren't.
"I just thought he was way too sensitive and if he wound that back a little bit … but I don't think it actually dictated who won the game.
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"It just could have made for a better game with more points scored."
Klein will be the Bunker official for Sunday night's grand final.
Chris Sutton and David Munro will be the sideline officials.
