Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater has pinpointed the key area where Melbourne have the advantage in tomorrow night’s grand final, and it could see referee Grant Atkins in the firing line.
Atkins will take the whistle for his first NRL decider tomorrow night, getting the nod over experienced Ashley Klein in a changing-of-the-guard moment.
Slater says that the one real advantage for the Melbourne Storm is the high kicks for their wingers, and there will be "pressure" on the referee to perform when it comes to one crucial part of the game.
He says people will need to think about Will Warbrick and Xavier Coates – that if they get a 50/50 opportunity against Deine Mariner and Josiah Karapani, that 50/50 all of a sudden turns into a 75 percent chance because of their athleticism, height, and ability to catch high balls.
Slater says the pressure will be on Atkins with how they police that.
The NRL Grand Final clash between the Melbourne Storm and the Broncos is at 8.30pm at Sydney tomorrow.
[source : Nine Sports]
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