The NRL has appointed Ashley Klein as grand final referee for the third time.
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Was hoping they’d go with Adam Gee.
They were a fading force before then, since their last premiership was 1986.
They didn’t make the finals at all from 1987-92 and finished 2nd last in 91 and 92.
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Also a question for @Radiohead since he is currently in France. Does the BeInn sports coverage have French language commentary still? Once heard a sample of it and havevto say i prefered it to what is on offer at home
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Melbourne Storm half Jahrome Hughes has taken out the Dally M in 2024
Hughes’ victory came despite having six points deducted after a one-game suspension for making contact with a referee in Round 2.
Hughes was rested in Round 26 with Tedesco scoring two points in a loss, putting the count to 56-55.
In Round 27, Tedesco polled the maximum six points — as did Hughes to win the award 62-61.
Hughes gives the Storm a record sixth Dally M Medal win, joining Cameron Smith (two), Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk (two).
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Craig Bellamy was named coach of the year for mentoring the Storm to minor premiership and yet another grand final.
NRLW Dally M Player of the Year is Olivia Kernick.
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Not in France anymore (now USA, going home the long way), but I think they do use French commentary, I’m sure I heard this on their Premier League coverage.
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Craig Bellamy has ruled himself out of the race for the NSW State of Origin job, believing it would be too hard to coach both the Blues and Melbourne.
Bellamy is the last Origin coach to juggle both a club and state side for a mid-season series, having led the Blues in 2009 and 2010.
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Looks like here in the US, the Grand Final has been moved to Fox Sports 2, my hotel TV only has FS1. Curses!
I could sign up to watch at watchnrl.com but costs $46 AUD. But on at 1.30am here. Hmmm
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I’m sure you’ve got a VPN that might let you safely browse some…overseas websites 
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I watched last year’s GF in LA - the time zone is rough! And the surge pricing for the GF on watch NRL sucks.
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Intetesting this year Penrith will be the Pink Panthers in the Grand Final
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They finished 2nd, so Melbourne are the “home” team as minor premiers and choose what strip they wear, meaning Penrith have to wear their “clash” strip since their main jersey is too close in colour to the Storm’s.
Had hot weather been forecast, i think Storm would have opted for their predominantly white “clash” jersey.
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I meant to ask, what was the coverage like? Did it use the Nine or FOX commentary/graphics and were there any ads at all (including half time).
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I’m almost certain it was the 9 coverage, though I don’t think ads were shown. I remember nearly falling asleep towards the end and missing Penrith’s comeback.
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when I was in Malaysia on holidays in April 2022, Premier Sports aired a replay of the Panthers vs Broncos match and used the Nine graphics (and because I saw this in a bar I couldn’t hear the commentary clearly, but I’d guess they used the Nine commentary too).
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Welcome to Grand Final Day. It all started with 17 teams, and now it all comes down to 2. Here’s the rundown (all times AEDT):
- 1:20pm: Newtown Jets vs Norths Devils (2024 NRL State Championship)
- 3:55pm: Sydney Roosters vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (2024 NRLW Grand Final)
- 6:30pm approx: Pre-game entertainment featuring The Kid LAROI
- 7:30pm: Melbourne Storm vs Penrith Panthers (2024 NRL Grand Final)
Who will win? Can the Panthers pull of a four-peat or will the Storm spoil the upset? It’s all exclusive live and free on Channel 9HD and streaming live on 9Now all day long. May the best team win.
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Always been another Christmas Day to me
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Me too. Go Jets, Sharkies and Storm.
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After all these years I’ve finally got you on the Storm bandwagon!
Gonna be a ripper today. I’m nervous as all hell.
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