That did cross my mind however I wonder whether it is because there was an extra week between the play offs this time compared to usual. Therefore that would have meant Madley would have refereed on the last day of the season on 7th May and wouldn’t have refereed again until the final on the 31st. That’s quite a big time with no game so maybe it was to make sure he kept his match sharpness with a game in between?
Makes perfect sense for referees that have done the semis to be appointed to the finals, given the time lapse
Since the end of the efl season.