Despite officiating six of the eight NRL finals games from the bunker to date, Chris Butler has been dumped from the role for the grand final, while Grant Atkins will referee his first decider.
All signs were pointing towards Ashley Klein being the on-field referee to be supported by Chris Butler in the bunker, as was the case in a match each across the last two weekends, and during the State of Origin series this year.
But that’s not the way things have landed, with the NRL confirming Atkins will take on-field duties in the decider between the Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm, while Klein will be relegated into the bunker role.
Butler’s position in the bunker for six of the eight finals games so far has been part of the NRL’s renewed push to limit the number of officials taking charge of the video screens.
A number of questionable decisions over the last two weekends could have contributed to the decision to replace Butler, while Klein being relegated from an on-field role was likely brought about by an eyebrow-raising performance in Friday evening’s preliminary final between the Melbourne Storm and Cronulla Sharks in the Victorian capital.
Atkins will be supported by Chris Sutton and Dave Munro on the sideline.
In the earlier games, the women’s decider will be controlled by Belinda Sharpe, with Chris Butler taking to the bunker for that game, while the State Championship between the New Zealand Warriors and Burleigh Bears will be controlled by this year’s NRL debutant Jarrod Cole, with Liam Kennedy in the bunker.
Cole is widely regarded as the best referee within the Queensland Rugby League ranks, having officiated a number of QLD Cup grand finals, while Sharpe continues to hold her status as the number one female referee in the game.
Here are all the appointments for grand final day.
NRL men’s grand final: Melbourne Storm vs Brisbane Broncos
Referee: Grant Atkins
Touch judges: Chris Sutton and David Munro
Bunker official: Ashley Klein
NRL women’s grand final: Sydney Roosters vs Brisbane Broncos
Referee: Belinda Sharpe
Touch judges: Ethan Klein and Rochelle Tamarua
Bunker official: Chris Butler
State Championship: New Zealand Warriors vs Burleigh Bears
Referee: Jarrod Cole
Touch judges: Kieren Irons and Nick Pelgrave
Bunker official: Liam Kennedy