NRL referees Kasey Badger and Belinda Sleeman will create history this weekend when the pair become the first female officials involved in a rugby league finals match.

In another move closer to having the code's first female whistleblower, Badger and Sleeman have been selected as touch judges in the opening week of the finals series.

Belinda Sleeman will be officiating from the sideline as Manly take on the Penrith Panthers.

Badger has been handed the flag for Friday night's Roosters-Broncos match at Allianz Stadium, while Sleeman will run the line on Saturday night for the sudden-death final between Manly and Penrith.

"Both Kasey and Belinda developed out of our Women In League Officiating Program," NRL referees boss Tony Archer said.