Ex-ref says Klein asked colleagues for loans amid gambling addiction
Updated . First published at
State of Origin referee Ashley Klein allegedly attempted to borrow money off his fellow match officials to fund his gambling habit.
Nine.com.au has learned that Klein “snipped” at least three colleagues as he went on his $400,000 losing spree on horse and greyhound racing several years ago.
Referee Ashley Klein in action during State of Origin I, Cameron Spencer
It is believed that this act may even have made the NRL aware of Klein’s habit and forced an internal investigation, which cleared the top referee on any wrongdoing.
“He reached out to me a few years back and asked for a $5000 loan - said he was going through some tough times,” one former ref told Nine.com.au.
“I know of at least two other match officials who he also hit up.
“He didn’t say what it was for - but it was pretty obvious.”
The NRL was contacted for comment.
There is no suggestion that Klein placed bets on any NRL games and he has been cleared to referee Wednesday night’s Origin game two despite a The Sydney Morning Herald story that brought the entire affair into the public arena.
Klein has been under massive pressure even before his gambling habit was revealed by the Herald last week.
Days earlier, Queensland’s Courier Mail newspaper named him “man of the match” in Origin I after he sent off their star fullback Kalyn Ponga and even started a campaign to have him removed from game two.
Dally M rookie’s return
There have been whispers that former Dally M Rookie of the Year Nick Cotric wants to come home next year - but where will he land?
I’m hearing that both the Titans and Dragons are looking at the now 27-year-old flyer for 2027.
A talented wing and centre who played for both New South Wales and Australia before a mysterious form drop, Cotric has regained his confidence in two seasons with Catalans Dragons in the Super League.
Cotric could be a handy pick-up for both the Titans or Dragons, who have been struggling for finishing power out wide this season.
Rugby to steal another young league talent
So what does the future hold for Kiwi-born utility back David Bryenton, who abruptly walked away from the Bulldogs at the start of the season.
A former winner of the prestigious Peter Sterling Medal for the country’s best schoolboy player of the year, Bryenton has moved to Queensland where he is still on the radar of several NRL clubs.
But the 18-year-old is currently playing club rugby in Brisbane and is also in the sights of several Super Rugby franchises.
Don’t be surprised if he ends up signing a contract with the Queensland Reds for next season and beyond.
Bryenton will be a loss to league - former winners of the Sterling Medal include Payne Haas, Tom Dearden and Lachlan Galvin.
Sharks win race to sign young star
The Sharks have won the race to sign promising Warriors hooker Dreytin Marriott for next season.
Marriott was a key figure in the Warriors’ premiership-winning Harold Matthews Cup team last season and has shone in the under-19 SG Ball Cup this year.
He was being chased by several rival clubs and chose the Sharks as he thought it would give him the best pathway to the NRL in coming years.
A crafty hooker out of dummy half, Marriott could well prove their heir to Blayke Brailey’s reign as the Sharks top hooker down the track.
