Gee, who previously refereed the 2023 grand final between Penrith and Brisbane, was in charge of the Roosters' 36-20 preliminary final victory over the Dolphins on Friday. In that match, he referred contentious tries to Jamayne Isaako and Rob Toia to the bunker. Video official Ashley Klein subsequently awarded both tries, deeming there was not sufficient evidence to overturn the on-field decisions. Butler was the bunker official for that preliminary final.
Grant Atkins, who refereed the 2025 grand final, was not selected this year after missing out on officiating in either preliminary final. Veteran referee Gerard Sutton oversaw Newcastle's 22-14 defeat of the Panthers on Sunday, the other preliminary final.
Ashley Klein, who had overseen all three State of Origin matches this year, was demoted to bunker duties for the preliminary finals after failing to award an escort penalty to the Warriors in the final minute of their semi-final loss to Newcastle a week earlier at Eden Park. Klein will be in the bunker for the first game on grand final day, the annual curtain-raiser.