Melbourne Storm legend Billy Slater has highlighted the key area where the Storm hold a distinct advantage in Sunday night’s NRL grand final – a factor that could also put rookie referee Grant Atkins under the spotlight.
Officiating his first NRL grand final, Atkins has been chosen over veteran Ashley Klein in a symbolic “changing of the guard” moment for the refereeing ranks.
While the 43-year-old’s rapid rise has been impressive, the 2025 grand final brings unprecedented pressure, with Slater pointing to the high-ball contest as the ultimate test of Atkins’ refereeing skills.
“The one real advantage for the Melbourne Storm are these high kicks for their wingers,” Slater stated on Nine's The Billy Slater Podcast.
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“You think about [Will] Warbrick and [Xavier] Coates, if they get a 50/50 opportunity against Deine Mariner and [Josiah] Karapani, that 50/50 all of a sudden turns into a 75 per cent chance because of the athleticism, height and ability to catch high balls.
Brisbane’s 30-14 Round 27 win over the Storm saw the Broncos deliberately backlined their centres and even concede penalties to counter Melbourne’s high-ball threats — a tactic the 42-year-old Queensland coach says could be under the microscope with Atkins in charge of the Grand Final.
“I do remember back in Round 27, the Broncos were willing to escort players off those two guys and give away penalties and back their defence,” he noted.
“It will be interesting and the pressure is on Grant Atkins - who is refereeing his first grand final - with how they police that.
“That was an evident ploy for the Broncos with their centres getting over and helping out their wingers, which they have to do because the advantage goes to Melbourne.”