<h2>Ashley Klein Axed from NRL Grand Final – Four Pointer Summary:</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>- &nbsp; Ashley Klein dropped from NRL Grand Final referee duties after controversial 18-penalty preliminary final performance.</p> <p>- &nbsp; Grant Atkins appointed to officiate Sunday night's premiership decider in Klein's place.</p> <p>- &nbsp; Klein relegated to Bunker official role following criticism over excessive penalty count.</p> <p>- &nbsp; The Melbourne Storm and the Brisbane Broncos will contest the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nrl/predictions/storm-vs-broncos-grand-final-2025-tips">2025 NRL Grand Final</a> on Sunday.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Atkins Gets Grand Final Nod After Klein's Penalty Blowout</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The NRL has made a significant last-minute change to its grand final officiating team, promoting Grant Atkins to the main referee role for Sunday night's premiership decider.</p> <p>The decision comes after Ashley Klein's heavily criticised performance during Friday's preliminary final in Melbourne, where his 18-penalty count drew widespread condemnation from players, coaches, and fans alike.</p> <p>Klein, previously regarded as the competition's premier referee, found himself under intense scrutiny following his handling of the preliminary final.</p> <p>The veteran official's penalty count was deemed excessive by many observers, with critics arguing that numerous infractions could have been overlooked to maintain game flow and entertainment value.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Klein's Controversial Night Costs Him Top Job</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Friday night's preliminary final exposed Klein's ultra-strict interpretation of the rules, with his whistle dominating proceedings throughout the contest.</p> <p>The referee's approach particularly frustrated spectators and commentators who felt the constant stoppages disrupted the natural rhythm of such a crucial match.</p> <p>NRL legend Brad Fittler delivered a scathing assessment of Klein's performance, stating the referee was "a little bit sensitive for the game" and failed to "give the game room to breathe."</p> <p>Fittler specifically highlighted Klein's tendency to penalise high tackles and contact situations that would typically be allowed to continue in big matches.</p> <p>"There were a lot of high tackles and a lot of contact penalties given that most probably weren't," Fittler explained during The Sunday Footy Show.</p> <p>"I just thought he was way too sensitive and if he wound that back a little bit... it just could have made for a better game with more points scored."</p> <p>Despite the criticism surrounding his penalty count, Fittler acknowledged that Klein's officiating didn't ultimately determine the match outcome, though it certainly impacted the spectacle for neutral observers and betting enthusiasts.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Atkins Steps Up for Premiership Decider</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Grant Atkins has long been considered one of the NRL's form referees, consistently delivering quality performances throughout the 2025 season.</p> <p>Many observers believed Atkins deserved opportunities in marquee fixtures, but he was frequently overlooked in favour of Klein and Gerard Sutton for the competition's biggest matches.</p> <p>The late promotion represents a significant opportunity for Atkins to showcase his abilities on rugby league's grandest stage.</p> <p>His appointment signals the NRL's confidence in his ability to manage the pressure and occasion of a grand final without falling into the trap of over-officiating that plagued Klein's preliminary final display.</p> <p>Klein hasn't been completely banished from grand final duties, with the experienced official assigned to the crucial Bunker role for Sunday night's decider.</p> <p>Chris Sutton and David Munro will serve as sideline officials, completing the officiating team for the premiership finale.</p> <p>The referee reshuffle adds another layer of intrigue to Sunday's Grand Final, with Atkins now under the spotlight to deliver a performance that allows the game's natural flow while maintaining appropriate control over proceedings.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>NRL Grand Final 2025 Odds</h2>