Tears, anxiety, post-game beers: Adam Gee’s selfless reaction to greatest officiated NRL grand final

In an exclusive interview, referee Adam Gee has opened up on his NRL grand final call-up, revealling his unique pre-game routine before the biggest game of his life.

NRL grand final referee Adam Gee. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

Referee Adam Gee has admitted shedding tears of relief at full-time of the NRL grand final and proudly declared: “We’re all talking about the game - not the referee.”

Gee, 38, has been hailed as the referee who made Sunday’s epic grand final possible.

In an exclusive interview, the grand final debutant spoke of his pre-game “anxiety and nerves” while saying it was “unrealistic” to believe every NRL match could be adjudicated in the same manner as Sunday’s big game.

“You’re going to get games through the year where, if you sit back like the other night, it could turn really ugly, really quickly,” Gee said.

Gee speaks about the pressure he felt refereeing in front of family and friends, the post-game celebration beers, the pre-match session of Netflix and his plans now for State of Origin.

Usually grand final villains, Gee became a refereeing hero by awarding just five penalties – compared to a season average of 11 - and one restart (season average of 4.5) in a grand final being rated among the greatest ever.

NRL grand final referee Adam Gee at Oak Park Beach in Cronulla. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

THE BIG GAME

After several finals clangers from his fellow referees, this was an officiating performance for the ages. “In years to come, if no one can remember who refereed that game, then great – that’s what we all strive for,” Gee said.

“You want to be fair and balanced for both teams, adjudicate on what you’ve seen, but ultimately let the players decide the game and that’s what happened on Sunday, definitely. I’ve been a bit shocked by a lot of the media attention about the refereeing. I am happy if no one mentions the referee.

“A lot of it was just relief, it had been a big week that builds up. You know what is on the line for the teams, the game, yourself and your own career.

“To be honest, I was just happy it went smoothly and everyone was talking about the game, not the officiating department. As a referee, that is what we always aim for.

“You want to walk off and people are discussing how good the game was and how the teams decided it.

“When you’re in the game and concentrating, you don’t realise how good a game it is. You know Penrith have had a great comeback but you don’t know the magnitude of the headlines – that it could be one of the greatest games that they’ve seen. I didn’t watch a play of it until Tuesday night.”

Adam Gee tempers growing emotions during the grand final. Picture: David Swift

THE TEARS

Gee admitted being overcome at full time.

“I had a few tears in my eyes if I am being completely honest. No blubbering but there was a tear there,” he said.

“I supposed it’s not the same celebration as when a team wins a premiership but it’s as good as it can be for a referee, having a gut feeling that the game went well.

“It was when both the boys (touch judges Dave Munro and Chris Sutton) came on the field and we shook hands and had a hug. That’s when it hit and it welled up for all three of us.

“It was Chris’ first grand final, Dave’s second, but his family couldn’t be there for the first, which was in Brisbane (in 2021) because of Covid. For all three of us, it was a big occasion. We all embraced.

“It was happiness but relief and a feeling of satisfaction at (refereeing) for so many years to achieve it. There are other things that people don’t think about – your family rides your career just as much as anyone.

“To have all of them in the crowd, you don’t want to perform poorly in front of them and let them down. You generally have a gut feeling that things have gone OK, without having reviewed every detail. It was a mixed bag of emotions, that’s for sure.”

THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM

Gee has been praised for his performance, where he ignored what many claim to be ‘nitpicking’ penalties. Even late in the game, he ignored two incidents where players stayed down seeking a penalty and rarely used the bunker.

But Gee dismissed suggestions every game could be controlled like Sunday’s match.

“Some of the media, and some of the comments I’ve read … it’s unrealistic to think every game can now be refereed like that. They were two high quality teams that both went there to win a premiership,” he said.

“It isn’t possible to referee every game like that or think matches can be refereed like that.

“You’re going to get games through the year where if you sit back like the other night, it could turn really ugly, really quickly. There has to be some balance with some of the comments made.”

THE DISCIPLINE

Gee said Penrith and Brisbane contributed to the spectacle through discipline and compliance.

“The other night, a lot of things I said to players on the run, or when I spoke to them, they listened,” Gee said. “You see something similar around the Origin period. When you get the majority of the best of the best on the field, and there are high stakes, they are generally a lot more disciplined and compliant.

“It was a credit to how they played. Their discipline and compliance levels allowed for that type of game.”

Adam Gee (C) with his touch judges.

THE BUILD UP

“You put pressure on yourself. I didn’t watch any of the (NRL) shows or listen to the media all week, which I don’t do a lot throughout the year,” Gee said. “Once the Dally Ms were finished on Wednesday night, it was then all about preparing properly.

“Before the game, I felt like I had one of the best and most consistent seasons I’ve ever had. I had internal confidence from that. I was still a bit nervous when I got to the game but by the time I was on the massage table and warming up, I felt ready.”

PRE-GAME ROUTINE

“I am married (to Shannon) but no kids yet, just a dog,” he said.

“I had breakfast at the local cafe (in Cronulla). We usually walk the dog but it was that hot. We did a small walk along the Esplanade and then back home. I was hydrating and trying to take my mind off the game by watching Netflix. (Shannon) and I have been together since high school so she has seen all the ups and downs.

“She knows my game day routine so she leaves me alone. I do my own thing and so does she.

“I had 10 close family and friends go out to the game. One of my mates organised a mini bus so they all went on that but I drove myself there so I could have my own space.

“I caught up with them in the grandstand before the game. That was probably when I was most nervous.”

Adam Gee reflects on the game. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

POST GAME BEERS

After such a performance, Gee was surely entitled to enjoy a Great Northern beer.

“Gav Reynolds, our operations manager, he’s outstanding, he got wristbands for everyone so they all came down to the sheds. We had a beer there,” Gee said.

“We had some photos. Graham (Annesley) and Andrew (Abdo) came in and presented me with the match ball, which was nice.

“Our (NRL refereeing) office is on the other side of the stadium, on level three. We put some food and drinks in our lunchroom when at training on the Friday. So we all walked around. All the family went around there and stayed there until around 1am. By the time I got home and actually shut my eyes, I think it was 4am. I was wide awake at 7am and went down for a swim.”

THE FUTURE

“In terms of the referees, everyone will now try to chase you down so it’s a matter of trying to stay there,” he said. “I will train harder, work harder to maintain that consistency.

“After that experience, I’d love to do it again and tick off an Origin game one day. There are certainly a few things I’d love to achieve before I finish up, that’s for sure.”

Originally published as Tears, anxiety, post-game beers: Adam Gee’s selfless reaction to greatest officiated NRL grand final