With the NRL confirming referee Grant Atkins will take charge of his first grand final in Sunday’s 2025 premiership decider, it creates a unique piece of rugby league history.
The 43-year-old whistleblower will join his father Graeme, 69, as the second member of his family to take the field on the final day of the rugby league season.
During a 179-game first grade career, Atkins senior started in three NSWRL grand finals for Parramatta between 1977 and 1981, and was also a replacement in 1976.
A talented winger who came through the ranks as a Parramatta junior, Graeme played in both of the Eels’ grand finals in 1977 (after drawing the original match 9-9, the Eels lost the replay against St. George 22-0).
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Four years later, Atkins scored a try as Parramatta claimed its maiden premiership under legendary coach Jack Gibson in 1981.
Whereas half the crowd was cheering him on, it will likely be a different story for his son Grant come Sunday with his every move under the microscope following several contentious calls in last weekend’s preliminary final between the Broncos and Panthers.
Nevertheless, Atkins himself is excited about the opportunity to make his grand final debut.
“It’s something you strive to achieve for a long time so now the week’s here it’s a matter of soaking it in,” Atkins told NRL.com
“It’s a nice acknowledgement for all the effort you’ve made and your willingness to turn up every weekend.”
The man Atkins has replaced in 2025, Ashley Klein, will have bunker duties on Sunday after controlling two of the past three NRL premiership deciders.