Monday Buzz: Phil Rothfield reveals his highlights and lowlights from the week in sport

The treatment of Kasey Badger over the weekend by players and on social media can’t be tolerated and the NRL needs to act to back up its female referees. PHIL ROTHFIELD reveals his highlights and lowlights from the week.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 04: Referee, Kasey Badger speaks with John Bateman of the Tigers 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)

Kasey Badger shouldn’t expect any favours as an NRL ref because she is a female.

At the same time players shouldn’t try to take advantage of the fact she is a woman.

The NRL will review audio of the Bulldogs v Wests Tigers on Saturday afternoon.

They’ll be particularly looking out for conversations between the referee and Wests Tigers skipper John Bateman, who was constantly in Badger’s ear.

They’ll also be listening to hear what veteran front-rower Dave Klemmer said before he was marched to the sin bin for back chat in the dying stages of the game.

The photo of the former Origin prop arguing with Badger looked so bad.

David Klemmer giving a mouthful to Kasey Badger before being sent to the sin bin. Picture: NRL Imagery

Klemmer didn’t even show the respect to leave the field when sin-binned, involving himself in a scuffle long after he was ordered off.

Then there’s the incident of Bulldogs forward Sam Hughes physically contacting Badger.

It is fair to say Badger didn’t have one of her better games.

Mind you, I’ve seen male referees over the years go worse.

The Wests Tigers and the Bulldogs, to a lesser extent, tested her to the limit.

They were in her face all afternoon.

I received a couple of messages after the game from long-time fans.

The first one: “It might be respecting women round in AFL this weekend but there’s been zero respect by players at Accor for Kasey Badger.”

And then this one: “John Bateman shouting at Kasey Badger all afternoon wasn’t a great look in the current climate.”

However social media wasn’t kind to Badger after the game.

Some of the comments were disgraceful.

The social media comments towards Kasey Badger have been disgraceful. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

What about this ratbag, Rob Bechara, co-host of Westslife podcast, on his X account.

“Haha! She’s got no idea. Back to the kitchen you dumb f …”

Seriously. And to think this person’s podcast was sponsored by the Holman Barnes group. We’re told Holman Barnes has now cancelled the sponsorship.

At least Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall accepted some responsibility for his team’s ill-discipline at his press conference after the game.

“You’ve got to have discipline and to have two in the sinbin – that’s not us,” Marshall said.

“There was emotion in the game but we expect better.

“We had a lot of calls go against us and the frustration built up but it’s first grade rugby league and whether you’re young or old, you’ve still got to be disciplined.

“The two things we got sin-binned for were silly.”

The reaction from NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo and head of football Graeme Annesley will be interesting on Monday morning.

They have a responsibility to all referees – not just the females – to back them against player dissent.

James Tedesco showed his class once again against the Broncos. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

HIGHLIGHT

Just when you’re thinking Reece Walsh is ready to overthrow James Tedesco as the NRL’s No. 1 fullback, the Roosters champion produces a blinder against the Broncos superstar to prove he is still the man.

It was a tough week of injuries to star players. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

LOWLIGHT

The long-term injuries to superstars Adam Reynolds, Cameron Murray and Ryan Papenhuyzen.

SHOOSH

Player agent Tyran Smith is shopping around his son, Melbourne Storm’s very capable centre Reimis Smith, to rival clubs. They have spoken to the Sydney Roosters, who will lose Joey Manu and Joesph-Aukuso Suaalii at the end of the season to rugby union. Smith is off contract this year.

Angus Crichton is in a purple patch of form. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

SHOOSH

The Sydney Roosters have been forced to change tack on the future of former Origin and Kangaroos forward Angus Crichton as a result of his sensational form in recent weeks. Crichton was set to leave at the end of the season but the Roosters now want him to stay. Money won’t be a problem … they are $4 million under the salary cap next year.

SHOOSH

A lot of rugby league types are asking why NSWRL chief executive Dave Trodden was secretly involved in the Wests Tigers internal review as part of a group making recommendations on the confidential findings from the report. Trodden is supposed to be an independent figure in the game.

SPOTTED

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have now firmed to equal favourites with the Gold Coast Titans at $2.50 to win the wooden spoon. They were $81 at the beginning of the season.

SPOTTED

South Sydney has had little to celebrate in recent times but there was a wonderful turnout on Friday night at Souths Juniors for the 80th birthday party of Charlie Gallico – better known as Reggie the Rabbit. Among those there were former coach Michael Maguire, Latrell Mitchell, Campbell Graham, Jai Arrow and chief executive Blake Solly.

360 VIEW

Catch you on NRL 360 on Fox League at 6.30pm with Braith Anasta, James Graham and Gorden Tallis to dissect all the biggest issues from another dramatic round of NRL.

Originally published as Monday Buzz: Phil Rothfield reveals his highlights and lowlights from the week in sport