Interesting rugby league news out of Sydney this week with the NRL announcing that Kasey Badger would not be able to officiate on any more South Sydney games as her partner is currently working with the South Sydney Rabbitohs as a consultant. The NRL insist that Kasey Badger did not do anything wrong in her effort in The Bunker outside of her usual lack of ability, but it hasn’t stopped some smart rugby league operators taking advantage with a NRL Clubs Referee Recruiting Drive.
In a similar situation to “If you can’t beat them, join them” some NRL clubs have taken some real initiative.
First NRL club to act was the Bulldogs who immediately got club supremo Phil Gould to contact Bernard Sutton to see if he would join the Bulldogs in a coaching capacity in their run to the finals and beyond.
The Wooden Spooners team has heard that Gould’s phone call went straight to messagebank. But as part of the message Gould left with the job offer with Bernard, he also invited Bernard to pass the same offer onto Gerard as well. As long as the Bulldogs could recruit one of them it would stop the other from going near future Bulldogs games.
But the Bulldogs weren’t the only smart operators.
Canberra Raiders hierarchy, still hurting from their 2019 loss have sent a job offer to Ben Cummins.
Whilst Cummins retired in 2023, it didn’t stop the Raiders enquiring about his availability, in case he was thinking of a comeback.
Billy “We’re Queenslanders” Slater was quick to blame officiating for Queensland’s awful performances in the second and third State of Origin games, and despite being at fault for selecting Kurt Capewell while leaving out potential game breakers, the Queensland coach has made overtures to bolster his coaching team. Specifically, he has sought out Ashley Klein’s availability for the 2025 State of Origin series in the hope that it will disqualify him from being in charge of more Queensland games.
Fan of at least eight other NRL teams have socialled or written and/or faxed their clubs requested similar job offers be sent to Ashley Klein.
Wayne Bennett refused to talk to any referees, or our Wooden Spooners reporters.
Finally, given their dreadful record with all NRL officiating this season, the Wests Tigers sent job offers to every referee. Including anyone involved with the Bunker.
Sadly for the Wests Tigers The Bunker overruled their job offers and suspended their Office Manager for a week.
