For the first time in four years, leading NRL referee Ashley Klein will not take charge of a preliminary final after two major errors in last week's semifinal.
Later, with Melbourne trailing 13-12, Klein did not penalise Roosters halfback Sam Walker for a clear high tackle on Grant, which would have put the Storm in position to kick a game-winning penalty goal.
The NRL is yet to determine whether Klein will referee the grand final for the second straight year, but he will not preside over either of the preliminary finals this week, listed only as the bunker official for Brisbane's match against the Warriors on Saturday. Abdo launched an impassioned defence of Klein shortly before the NRL dropped him, claiming criticism of the 14-time State of Origin referee, who also officiated the men's World Cup final last year, pointed to a broader issue in the sport.
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