Parker slams "stunning" Gee omission for NRL finals

Rugby league great Corey Parker has labelled the omission of referee Adam Gee from the NRL finals as “stunning” less than a year on from officiating the grand final.

Gee was instead chosen as the standby ref for Penrith’s clash with the Roosters with Ashley Klein, Gerard Sutton, Todd Smith and Grant Atkins preferred by the NRL hierarchy.

Parker said he could not believe the decision.

“It’s absolutely stunning, he’s on standby at the moment Adam Gee,” he said on SENQ Breakfast.

“This is a guy who refereed that grand final last year, and it was arguably one of the best grand finals.

“The way it was adjudicated, it was free flowing, the players sorted it all out but yes, not a part of it (this year).”

In the Daily Telegraph, NRL head of football Graham Annesley said the decision came down to form.

“We only have four games this week, and match officials have been selected on form,” Annesley said.

“Todd has earned his spot based on really solid performances throughout the season.

“We are fortunate to now have more referees capable of controlling finals than we have games available.

“Competition for positions inevitably drives improved performance and consistency.”

Parker, talking with co-host Ian Healy, then gave listeners an insight into how the tier system worked for referees in the NRL.

“The referees, just for those people who don’t know, are on a tier system, they can only sign a two-year (deal), that’s the longest term they can sign,” he said.

“For example Heals you might be the No.1 referee in the competition, you’re on the top money, and then I surpass you but you can only hold it for two years.

“So you may hold it but if I go past you, then you fall down under, so they don’t want to put someone who’s in tier two into their top game because that then means they’re wrong.

“It’s a weird one.

“The refs don’t get paid enough, the top refs get paid around $200,000.”

Gee wasn’t selected to be in the bunker for the first week of the finals either.