NRL Refs Stats That Matter | Round 8

Ashley Klein 

• Wests Tigers are 1-3 with a 2-2 record 
• Canberra are 9-5 with a 10-4 record 
• Favourites have covered 5 of Klein’s last 6 games 
• Favourites of 6.5 or more cover at 61% 
• Home teams cover at 55% 

Ashley Klein is one of the preeminent favourite referees in the NRL and has been particularly kind to bigger favourites. Favourites are in hot form under his stewardship. The only concern here is Canberra’s strong record under his refereeing.  

Referee Lean: Wests Tigers -6.5 (Small) @ $1.90

Belinda Sharpe 

• North Qld are 2-0 with a 1-1 cover record 
• Cronulla are 1-0 with a 0-1 cover record 
• Favourites cover at 43% 
• Interstate teams are 4-1 against the spread 
• The under hits in 71.4% 

Belinda Sharpe does not have a lot of experience in the top grade but she has been a huge under referee in the games she has officiated.  

Referee Lean: Under 52.5 (Small) @ $1.90

Wyatt Raymond 

• Brisbane are 2-2 with a 2-2 cover record 
• Canterbury are 4-2 with a 4-2 cover record 
• Interstate teams cover 58% 
• The over is 4-0 in Brisbane games 
• The over hits at 65% with an interstate team 
• The over hits at 62.5% when there is a home underdog 
• The under is 5-1 in Canterbury games 

Wyatt Raymond is an over referee with the Broncos a perfect over team under his watch. This is a big over spot for Raymond with an interstate team and a home underdog.  

Referee Lean: Over 49.5 (Big) @ $1.90

Grant Atkins 

• The Dragons are 5-10 with a 7-8 cover record 
• The Roosters are 18-9 with a 15-12 cover record 
• Double digit favourites cover 35% 
• The over is 16-11 in Roosters games 
• The over is 59.5% when a double digit favourite 

Grant Atkins is a big underdog official but the Roosters are a good team on his watch. This is a nice over spot though with games going over at nearly 60% when there is a double digit favourite under Atkins. 

Referee Lean: Over 52.5 (Small) @ $1.90

Liam Kennedy 

• New Zealand are 5-1 with a 4-2 cover record 
• Dolphins are 1-3 with a 0-4 cover record  
• Favourites of 6.5 or more cover at 57% 
• The over is 54.5% when there is an interstate team 
• The under hits at 54% in night games 

This is the perfect storm for the Warriors here, who have a great record under Kennedy while the Dolphins have a diabolical one. Favourites of more than a converted try have a very positive cover record under his officiating.  

Referee Lean: New Zealand -6.5 (Big) @ $1.85

Adam Gee 

• Melbourne are 11-8 with an 8-11 record under Gee 
• Souths are 7-6 with an 8-5 cover record 
• The under is 10-3 in Souths games 
• The under is 7-0 in 2026 
• The under hits at 54.1% in night games 

The under is a perfect 100% in Adam Gee games in 2026 while Souths have been a huge under team when Gee is the man in the middle.  

Referee Lean: Under 50.5 (Big) @ $1.90

Gerard Sutton 

• Newcastle are 7-9 with an 8-8 cover record 
• Penrith are 17-7 with a 14-10 cover record 
• Favourites of 4 or more cover at 55% 
• Double digit home underdogs cover at 41% 
• The under is 12-4 in Newcastle games

Gerard Sutton is the leading favourite referee in the NRL with double digit underdogs playing at home having a particularly poor record.  

Referee Lean: Penrith -12.5 (Big) @ $1.90

Peter Gough 

• Manly are 5-7 with a 7-5 cover record
• Parramatta are 7-7 with a 7-7 cover record
• Home favourites of 8 or more cover at 43%
• Teams off conceding 10 or fewer cover at 68% 

There is no angle with Peter Gough in the final game of the round.  

Referee Lean: No Lean