Bunnies TV podcast: Police, HR intervene after former South Sydney teammates fall out in wild saga

Former South Sydney teammates and Bunnies TV podcast co-hosts have been involved in a bitter falling out after an alleged physical threat was made between the pair over a $5000 bill.

A 10-day human resources investigation has cleared former South Sydney forward Darren Brown of allegations he physically threatened ex-Rabbitohs teammate Steve Mavin.

Brown and Mavin played 47 games together at Redfern during the late 1980s and early 1990s and co-hosted the popular Bunnies TV podcast.

A significant dispute, which involved the police, flared after Brown and fellow podcast member Grant Chappell believed they were owed around $5000 by Mavin when the podcast wound up last year.

The amount was profits from the podcast through increased sponsorship. The dispute could end up before the courts.

Brown and Mavin work at the Dubai-based DP World, a logistics and stevedoring company at Port Botany.

Mavin alleged he was threatened by Brown on-site and took his complaints to Humans Resources and the police. It led to Brown being suspended from work.

DP World’s independent HR investigation interviewed those present when the alleged threat was made but found no evidence to substantiate the allegation.

Steve Mavin in 1987. Picture: Philip Brown.

Darren Brown. Picture: Dave Hancock

It is understood around three men were present at the time of the alleged threat.

Brown returned to work this week after initially being stood down on pay, pending the investigation. Mavin has taken leave and not yet returned to work. The two were close friends but that bond has been snapped. Brown is said to be gutted that he was deemed to be a physical threat to Mavin.

The allegation surrounded Brown saying he would assault Mavin out-of-work hours. Brown vehemently denied making the remark.

Once the investigation was over, DP World took no disciplinary action against Brown.

After being contacted by Mavin, Mascot police spoke with Brown but the matter didn’t proceed. Brown, said to have been confused why police were there, declined to make a statement.

The pair were co-hosts on the Bunnies TV podcast.

The Bunnies TV podcast could be found on YouTube or Spotify and ran up to twice a week. Souths allowed Brown and Mavin extra access to players – given their past history with the club – but did not employ the pair.

Brown, 54, played 70 games for Souths over two stints while Mavin, 56, represented the Rabbitohs in 88 first grade games.

Given Brown has been cleared, industry sources claim Mavin’s position at DP World could now be untenable.

Brown and Mavin are financial members of the Maritime Union of Australia.

MUA assistant branch secretary Brad Dunn only said: “The MUA represents all financial members. Despite two members being in dispute, both were afforded representation on request, which was the case.”

The pair have both worked at DP World for around ten years.