NRL Refs Stats That Matter | Round 22

NRL Refs Stats That Matter | Round 22

If you’re not factoring in the referee, you’re missing an edge. Nick Tedeschi breaks down the key officiating trends that matter for Round 22.

North Queensland Cowboys
vs
Sydney Roosters
9:50pm Thursday | Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
No Lean

Ashley Klein

  • The Cowboys are 5-11 with a 5-11 cover record
  • The Roosters are 14-14 with a 13-15 cover record
  • Interstate teams cover 45%
  • The over is 10-6 in Cowboys games

The Cowboys have a dire record under Ashley Klein but interstate teams don’t fare particularly well so no angle in this one.

Ref Lean: No Lean

St George Illawarra Dragons
vs
Dolphins
8:00pm Friday | WIN Stadium, Wollongong
No Lean

Kieren Irons

  • Kieren Irons is on debut

There is no referee edge in this one with Kieren Irons the second referee to make his NRL debut in three weeks.

Ref Lean: No Lean

Melbourne Storm
vs
Canterbury Bulldogs
10:00pm Friday | AAMI Park, Melbourne
Under 42.5 @ $1.90

Gerard Sutton

  • Melbourne are 15-6 with a 13-8 cover record
  • Canterbury are 5-10 with a 7-8 cover record
  • Favourites of 4 or more cover at 55%
  • The under is on a 11-2 run in Sutton games
  • The under hits at 58% when an interstate 4+ fav

Veteran Gerard Sutton has been a huge under official of late and the under is particularly strong when there is a travelling favourite of at least a try.

Ref Lean: Under 42.5 @ $1.90

Gold Coast Titans
vs
New Zealand Warriors
5:00pm Saturday | Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Under 49.5 @ $1.90

Jarrod Cole

  • Gold Coast are 1-2 with a 2-1 cover record
  • New Zealand are 2-0 with a 1-1 cover record
  • The under is 8-2 in Cole’s 10 games at NRL level
  • The under is 7-1 when there is a favourite of 4 or more

We are just in the infancy of Jarrod Cole’s NRL career but he has been a very big under official through the opening 10 games of his career.

Ref Lean: Under 49.5 @ $1.90

Penrith Panthers
vs
Canberra Raiders
7:30pm Saturday | Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee
Penrith -9.5 @ $1.90 & Under 44.5 @ $1.90

Adam Gee

  • Penrith are 20-2 with a 17-5 cover record
  • Canberra are 10-11 with a 10-11 cover record
  • The under is 14-5 in 2026
  • The under hits at 58.1% when there is a double digit favourite

Penrith have an irresistible record under Adam Gee while Gee is a big under official who tends to let games play out.

Ref Lean: Penrith -9.5 @ $1.90 & Under 44.5 @ $1.90

Brisbane Broncos
vs
Newcastle Knights
9:35pm Saturday | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Brisbane -6.5 @ $1.98

Grant Atkins

  • Brisbane are 11-12 with a 15-8 cover record
  • Newcastle are 7-9 with an 8-8 cover record
  • Home teams cover at 58%
  • The under is 11-5 in Newcastle games

The Broncos have a tremendous record under Grant Atkins and he is one of the biggest home town officials on the books of the NRL.

Ref Lean: Brisbane -6.5 @ $1.98

Cronulla Sharks
vs
South Sydney Rabbitohs
4:00pm Sunday | Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney
Over 50.5 @ $1.98

Todd Smith

  • Cronulla are 12-5 with a 9-8 cover record
  • Souths are 5-7 with a 6-6 cover record
  • The over hits at 55% in all Smith games
  • Day games go over at 59.3% under Smith

Todd Smith is the leading over official and his games go over at nearly 60% in the day and considering how both teams score the over looks a tremendous bet.

Ref Lean: Over 50.5 @ $1.98

Wests Tigers
vs
Parramatta Eels
6:05pm Sunday | CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Parramatta -7.5 @ $1.85

Liam Kennedy

  • The Tigers are 1-6 with a 3-4 cover record
  • The Eels are 7-4 with a 5-6 cover record
  • Faves of 6.5 or more cover at 55%
  • Teams off conceding 50+ are 7-1 against the spread

Liam Kennedy is recalled to first grade for just his second game since Round 10. The Eels have a good record on his watch and there is a lean to big favourites.

Ref Lean: Parramatta -7.5 @ $1.85

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