EXPERIENCED referee Brett Suttor will bring a touch of Wagga to Sunday’s NRL grand final.
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Suttor, who has lived in Wagga for the past nine months, has been selected as one of the touch judges for the premiership decider between Melbourne Storm and Cronulla Sharks.
Suttor ran the sideline in last year’s thrilling grand final between North Queensland and Brisbane and is excited to be again in the thick of the action.
“It’s always good to get the game,” Suttor said.
“Last year’s grand final will go down as one of the greatest ever. It was absolutely amazing to be apart of it.
“So to be able to get it again is special.
“It’s something you work at your entire refereeing career to get to.
“State of Origin is amazing but I still think the whole grand final experience is better.”
Suttor officiated at all three State of Origin games last year, and travelled from Wagga to work at just the second game this season.
After moving to Wagga last December with his wife and kids, Suttor continued his role as an NRL tough judge referee.
The 36-year-old has juggled his full-time work commitments, along with his Mountain Health and Fitness business, to travel to NRL games on weekends.
“The first of the year was really, really hard, driving everywhere,” Suttor said.
“Then the NRL came to the party and were flying me out of Wagga, which made it much easier.”
Suttor was a full-time referee for eight years, where he officiated 110 NRL games as a central referee. He has now returned to outside employment and refereed over 100 games as one of the NRL’s leading touch judges.
Suttor will be based in Wagga for a minimum of four years and is already a big fan of the city.
“I love the place,” he said.
“I don’t want to leave.
“I think the country suits me more. I’m very happy with where I am at the moment.”
As for any grand final nerves, Suttor is all clear on that front.
“No, it might sound really arrogant and I don’t want it to,” he said.
“For me, it’s better that way.
“If I’m nervous, I’m more likely to say something silly or find something that wasn’t there.
“I find that I can approach it relaxed now, which is handy.”
Suttor arrived in Sydney on Thursday night and will train on Friday before enjoying Saturday off.
A big fitness fan, Suttor has started Mountain Health and Fitness, a gymnasium based in the backyard of his Springvale home.