NRL 2024: NRL bans Kasey Badger from working in bunker for South Sydney Rabbitohs games

The NRL has taken the extraordinary step to ban referee Kasey Badger from working South Sydney matches following an awkward revelation during the Sharks vs. Rabbitohs clash in round 22.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MAY 04: Referee, Kasey Badger in action during the round nine NRL match between Canterbury Bulldogs and Wests Tigers at Accor Stadium, on May 04, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

The NRL has taken the extraordinary step of banning referee Kasey Badger from working in the bunker for South Sydney Rabbitohs games.

This decision follows the awkwardness of Saturday night’s Cronulla v Souths match in which Badger was in charge of the bunker while her husband, former leading referee Gavin Badger, was sitting in the Souths’ coaching box assisting Ben Hornby.

The same ban will apply to Kasey Badger being a referee or touch judge at Souths games.

Gavin Badger has been the Rabbitohs’ referees consultant for two years, working at training one day a week and on game days.

The NRL had no idea Gavin Badger was working for Souths when his wife was appointed to the bunker for the Sharks match.

“It won’t happen again,” said the NRL head of football Graham Annesley.

The NRL has banned Kasey Badger from officiating Rabbitohs games. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Former referee Gavin Badger in the South Sydney coaches box. Picture: Fox League

“We do not question Kasey’s objectivity or professionalism but we acknowledge it’s not a good look.”

Thankfully, there were no major controversies on Saturday night at Shark Park.

But the NRL is concerned about the difficulties that could arise and the potential controversy from the positions that both hold in their respective jobs.

Kasey Badger is highly regarded in the game as a touch judge, referee and bunker official.

The Sharks won the game comfortably against a Rabbitohs side without Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker and at no stage were there any game deciding decisions needed to be made from the bunker.

However, the issue was raised at the NRL’s senior management meeting on Monday morning when the decision was made to play it safe and keep Kasey Badger away from Souths games.

Gavin Badger has played a low-profile role at Souths and most fans were unaware of his official position at the Rabbitohs until the Fox League cameras zoomed into the Souths’ box during the game.