Kersey Named Referee for 2024-25 A-League Grand Final

Football Australia is pleased to announce that Adam Kersey will officiate this Saturday's 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League Men Grand Final between Melbourne City FC and Melbourne Victory FC at AAMI Park in Melbourne. 

Saturday's Grand Final will be Kersey's first appointment as referee for an A-League Men's Grand Final, having previously been fourth official in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 A-League Men's Grand Final, and AAR in the 2019 Australia Cup Final. 

In further exciting news for Kersey, the Football Queensland product has been acknowledged for his outstanding season, being named the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League Men Referee of the Year. This is the first time that Adam has won this award, after making his A-League Men's debut in 2012. 

Supporting Kersey will be Assistant Referees George Lakrindis (Football Victoria) and Emma Kocbek (Football NSW), along with Fourth Official Shaun Evans (Football Victoria) and Reserve Assistant Referee Hugh Fenton-White (Football NSW). 

Kocbek will make her Grand Final debut as Assistant Referee, becoming the first female on-field official appointed to an A-League Men's Grand Final, following a standout debut season in the competition.

Lakrindis will make his first appearance as a Grand Final Assistant Referee, having also been on the inaugural FFA Cup Final in 2014, and 5th Official for the 2014/15 decider. Evans has been appointed as Fourth Official for the first time, after being in the middle for the famous 2018/19 Grand Final, and VAR for last year's final. 

Serving from the Video Assistant Referee both in Sydney is Lara Lee (Football QLD), Alex King (Football QLD) and Kearney Robinson (Football NSW), as well as the Elite Coaches Manager - Men's Referee Eddie Lennie (Football West) serving as the Referee Coach on the game. 

Football Australia Head of Referees Jon Moss said all the officials were selected based on rigorous assessments, and hard work throughout the 2024-25 domestic season. 

"Our refereeing team continues to set the benchmark for professionalism and integrity across all levels of the game. Week in and week out, they demonstrate unmatched dedication, focus, and resilience," Moss said.

"The appointment to this game for the whole refereeing team, especially for Adam, will be a reward for the exceptional dedication and hard work they have put in over the last 12 months. 

"We are proud of their growth, unity, and the high standards they uphold. From grassroots to elite competitions, their impact is felt in every decision made.  

"It is great to also see Lara (Lee) selected to be VAR on the Grand Final, a testament to her hard work to return to the elite refereeing space after the birth of her first child. 

"Football Australia thanks our referees for their unwavering service to the game," Moss concluded. 

2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League Men's Grand Final Officials Panel 

Melbourne City vs Melbourne Victory, 7.40pm AEST on Saturday 31 May at AAMI Park