Enraged footy fans have called for Ashley Klein to not officiate upcoming NRL finals games after the referee produced a howler for the ages on Friday night which ended the Roosters’ premiership chances.
Klein was just metres away when Melbourne hooker Harry Grant dropped a loose ball near his own try-line. The whistle-blower inexplicably waved play on, and Tricolours fans were fuming moments later when the hosts crossed at AAMI Park via centre Marion Seve.
At the time, Melbourne were trailing 13-12, with Will Warbrick scoring a four pointer at the death from a Cameron Munster cross-kick to keep their season alive. It also spared Klein’s blushes and a likely tirade from Bellamy.
It was a blunder which proved crucial, with Craig Bellamy’s side progressing to the NRL preliminary final against Penrith following an 18-13 win. Klein also missed a blatant high shot on Grant late in the contest which should have been a penalty.
Not surprisingly, the veteran referee was savaged on social media post game. ‘Ash Klein is having another blinder,’ one fan sarcastically tweeted on X. ‘How do you miss that!? It’s blatant cheating.’ ‘Klein’s performance was unacceptable…. he should be forcibly retired,’ vented another.
In the post-game press conference, Roosters captain James Tedesco confirmed Klein apologised to him on the field for the glaring error in the first stanza. Broncos great Corey Parker was seething at the final whistle.
‘That is a horrible decision.’ Roosters coach Robinson was left lamenting what might have been and had every reason to be fuming. It was pretty clear the ball was dropped,’ he told reporters. ‘He (Klein) was right there. It hit the ground, What can you do? It was an error. Then they went down the other end and scored.’
