Question) Where were your concerns last year when the team got off to a half decent start to the season before Injuries & more injuries hit the squad?
Again, keep in mind, that what Gus has done not just at Belmore, but at Bondi, at Penrith etc, he’s hired & cut players mid contract…. What is your issue with him ffs?
Gould was coaching at the Roosters 1995-1999 in a whole different world and with Nick Politis making his mark as more than a Chairman and Owner of that club. This was during the Super League war where Politis used the war to his and the Roosters advantage unlike other clubs who stayed "loyal" without a what's in it for us. Politis rules the roost at that club with every contract, recruitment and retention.
Gould was a great 1990's coach. His era was 1988 and 1990's. His last premiership where he was the main man at a club was 1991. 32 year ago. He was on the Roosters staff in 2002. This was very much built by Graham Murray, development & junior scouting by Arthur Beetson, main recruitment by Nick Politis and finished off by Ricky Stuart. This is the only time Gould has been part of a club that won a premiership. Gould was only a small part of that club after 1999 until when Stuart moved him on. He was effectively Sticky's assistant coach.
Penrith has been done many times over. Gould did some good. Gould also done some terrible decisions. Penrith realised they weren't going to win a premiership with Gould over-ruling everything there and came to the conclusion the NRL was passing him by. Penrith right in both assessments. They have become far more settled on and off the field with Ivan Cleary in charge and the main man. Gould would be over-riding players on recruitment and retention decisions. Cleary said one case he found out a player had been released via the newspaper. Letting go Koroisau (2015), Lewis, Jennings, Moylan, etc weren't good football or business decisions. Penrith fans love their juniors so Lewis, Jennings and Moylan fatal.
Gould did well to get the Packer loan to build some facilities. Penrith have long had juniors, Penrith always been a junior power house, Penrith always had the numbers. All Gould done was get some loans to build football facilities.
Next is all unrelated to Gould and now behind their financial successes. Penrith Leagues Club in the 1980's bought massive amounts of land to build their current club. Great vision at the time to own the land. Only 3 clubs bought massive amounts of land many decades ago - Penrith, Cronulla and Redcliffe. Cronulla have finally worked out how to use the land. Redcliffe put a supermarket and boutique stadium on their land it's why they're now NRL. Penrith now finally got the income streams on the land correct with the Royce retirement village and recreation areas. In the late 1990's and very early 2000's they started buying out other licencensed clubs. I think they only have 4 remaining now. They had something like 15. The rest were bad investments that nearly sent the club under. They were able to sell the land, get good returns and invest wisely. All this is unrelated to Gould. It licence club matter.
The headline grab is Gus done everything. Digest and understand the game outside of the headline to realise why Penrith had to move Gould on and why they've become successful since. Cleary dismantled the Gould 5yr plan and culture in his words dysfunctional. The vulnerable politics at Canterbury meant he was able to be given charge of everything at Canterbury. He had nothing to do with the leagues club business at Penrith (owners of the NRL club). He was a coach firstly and later on a right hand man at the Roosters (over 20 years ago). He won two premierships as a coach the last being 32 years ago. Chris Anderson won 2 premierships after 1991 and we saw the game pass him by when he was effectively the GM a couple of years ago. Chris Anderson is a club legend.
Anyone who thinks it's good for morale and player confidence to believe the big boss is looking to move you on does no good. Clubs rely on connection and stability. We have none of that.
