Tim Mander to ref Grand Final

Referee Tim Mander has been handed the whistle for Sunday's NRL grand final between Wests Tigers and North Queensland at Telstra Stadium.

It will be his second grand final.He has officiated 290 first grade matches including 17 playoff games, eight Tests and four World Cup matches in his 14-year first grade career.

Touch judges are Steve Chiddy and Steve Carrall, video referees are Graeme West and Mick Stone and the stand-by referee is Steve Clark.

"Tim has been consistently good over a very long period and it's fitting that he'll be officiating the grand final of a particularly memorable season," NRL referees' coach Robert Finch said.

Mander added: "It's been such an exciting season so I'm delighted to be appointed for the main game of the year.

"Last year's grand final was a terrific experience and I'm looking forward to another challenging game."