‘It’s just not a good look’: Graham Annesley explains why NRL had to stop Kasey Badger from officiating South Sydney games

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‘It’s just not a good look’: Graham Annesley explains why NRL had to stop Kasey Badger from officiating South Sydney games

NRL head of football Graham Annesley says the decision to stop Kasey Badger officiating in any matches involving South Sydney as long as her husband Gavin continues to work with the club is simply a public perception measure to avoid any suggestion the relationship could influence decisions.

Kasey was in the Bunker for Saturday night’s game between the Sharks and the Rabbitohs that Cronulla won comfortably, but questions were raised after cameras showed Gavin in the South Sydney box.

The former referee has worked with the Rabbitohs as a consultant where he comes in once a week during opposed sessions, while he occasionally attends games.

There was one contentious call on Saturday night when the Sharks had a try overturned by the Bunker, and while that’s been cleared by the NRL, that sort of thing is why they’ve decided to not have Kasey involved in any capacity while her husband is still at Souths.

“It’s just not a good look,” Annesley told the NewsWire, with Kasey also ruling against a South Sydney captain’s challenge on Saturday.

“The NRL simply cannot accept any perception of conflicts of interest.

“That’s the only reason (why we’ve done this). It had absolutely nothing to do with Kasey’s integrity or any decisions in the game.

“We were unaware Gavin was still working with the club, but we will avoid it happening again in future so there can be no suggestion of any perceived conflict.”

Camera IconGraham Annesley says the decision comes down to public perception. NRL Imagery Credit: Supplied

Perceived conflicts of interest are nothing new, with former referees boss Bernard Sutton told in 2020 that he was no longer in charge of appointing officials to avoid accusations of nepotism given he had two brothers in the referee ranks after there had been claims of preferential treatment.

Sutton worked as a consultant for the Storm after he left the NRL, and that did lead to some controversy at the time.

A Souths spokesman said the club had no issue with the NRL’s decision.

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