seven07
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NRL steps in to address Phil Gould issue amid concerns from rival clubs
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Burt Matton
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belmore_utd
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NRL steps in to address Phil Gould issue amid concerns from rival clubs
NRL boss Andrew Abdo has spoken to Canterbury officials in the wake of concerns in clubland about Bulldogs head of football Phil Gould.
Brent Read and David Riccio
2 min read
April 28, 2023 - 6:21PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
https://archive.md/Kq5lf#share-tools
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has addressed the festering issue of Phil Gould’s public commentary role with Bulldogs bosses.
News Corp understands that Abdo spoke to senior Canterbury officials on Friday afternoon about a range of issues, including concerns in clubland that Gould was using his position on the Nine Network to comment on live issues around the judiciary and officiating.
Under NRL rules, club officials can face sanction if they are overly critical of the NRL, or discuss charges that are yet to be settled by the judiciary.
It is understood rival clubs have raised concerns with the NRL over Gould being given free rein in his high-profile position as a commentator with the Nine Network.
Abdo declined to comment or confirm talks had taken place when contacted by News Corp. However, sources close to the Bulldogs confirmed there had been discussions on Friday afternoon, also insisting there was no discussion of sanctions against the club’s head of football.
It is understood the Bulldogs were sympathetic to Abdo’s position and assured the NRL boss that club officials would endeavour to avoid commenting on ‘live issues’ in the future.
At different points this season, Gould — albeit acting in his role with the Nine Network — has lashed the NRL over scheduling, slammed the use of the independent doctor and criticised the crackdown on hip drops.
There is a belief in some corners of the game that the NRL is running scared of Gould given he wields such significant influence as an official at one of Sydney’s biggest clubs and a commentator with one of the game’s host broadcasters.
Abdo, however, has sought to address the issue by holding talks with Bulldogs officials. It is unclear whether Gould was involved in the discussions.
Gould isn’t the only club official with a role in the media. Cooper Cronk, Greg Alexander and Michael Ennis are commentators with Fox League and also involved in clubland, either as board members or in a consultancy capacity.
However, few have the reach and impact of Gould when it comes to club and media roles. Nor are many as overtly critical of head office when they are in the mood.
While Gould’s position as the head of football at Canterbury — where he has overseen an overhaul of the club’s playing and coaching ranks — means he wields enormous influence in clubland, the role also dictates that he should be governed by the same rules as other officials when it comes to public commentary.
The NRL have no desire to force Gould to choose between the respective roles. Nor are they seeking to muzzle Gould when it comes to his commentary duties, so long as he refrains from discussing issues that are out of bounds for club officials.
Revelations of talks between the NRL and the Bulldogs should go some way towards easing concerns that there is a distinct double standard when it comes to Gould’s comments and those of other officials.
NRL boss Andrew Abdo has spoken to Canterbury officials in the wake of concerns in clubland about Bulldogs head of football Phil Gould.
Brent Read and David Riccio
2 min read
April 28, 2023 - 6:21PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
https://archive.md/Kq5lf#share-tools
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has addressed the festering issue of Phil Gould’s public commentary role with Bulldogs bosses.
News Corp understands that Abdo spoke to senior Canterbury officials on Friday afternoon about a range of issues, including concerns in clubland that Gould was using his position on the Nine Network to comment on live issues around the judiciary and officiating.
Under NRL rules, club officials can face sanction if they are overly critical of the NRL, or discuss charges that are yet to be settled by the judiciary.
It is understood rival clubs have raised concerns with the NRL over Gould being given free rein in his high-profile position as a commentator with the Nine Network.
Abdo declined to comment or confirm talks had taken place when contacted by News Corp. However, sources close to the Bulldogs confirmed there had been discussions on Friday afternoon, also insisting there was no discussion of sanctions against the club’s head of football.
It is understood the Bulldogs were sympathetic to Abdo’s position and assured the NRL boss that club officials would endeavour to avoid commenting on ‘live issues’ in the future.
At different points this season, Gould — albeit acting in his role with the Nine Network — has lashed the NRL over scheduling, slammed the use of the independent doctor and criticised the crackdown on hip drops.
There is a belief in some corners of the game that the NRL is running scared of Gould given he wields such significant influence as an official at one of Sydney’s biggest clubs and a commentator with one of the game’s host broadcasters.
Abdo, however, has sought to address the issue by holding talks with Bulldogs officials. It is unclear whether Gould was involved in the discussions.
Gould isn’t the only club official with a role in the media. Cooper Cronk, Greg Alexander and Michael Ennis are commentators with Fox League and also involved in clubland, either as board members or in a consultancy capacity.
However, few have the reach and impact of Gould when it comes to club and media roles. Nor are many as overtly critical of head office when they are in the mood.
While Gould’s position as the head of football at Canterbury — where he has overseen an overhaul of the club’s playing and coaching ranks — means he wields enormous influence in clubland, the role also dictates that he should be governed by the same rules as other officials when it comes to public commentary.
The NRL have no desire to force Gould to choose between the respective roles. Nor are they seeking to muzzle Gould when it comes to his commentary duties, so long as he refrains from discussing issues that are out of bounds for club officials.
Revelations of talks between the NRL and the Bulldogs should go some way towards easing concerns that there is a distinct double standard when it comes to Gould’s comments and those of other officials.
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It's like Russia the nrl. They fuck up then persecute ppl who call them out for it
AlzzBulldog
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Because they hate us with a passion and they cannot hide it anymore
Theyre scared he will do here what he did with penrith
Alan79
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I'm a bit sick of the NRL wanting to muzzle people who offer criticism. For the most part, criticism is justified based on the fact that it's now a highly flawed product. Fix the flaws rather than focusing on trying to shut up people who expose them.
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Who’s ‘they’ Alzz? The NRL?
I’m sure they’d be horrified at the prospect of one of the biggest and wealthiest clubs in the game winning another premiership. #ThinkBeforePosting
LordSidious66
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The power of the dark side is strong within the haters.
AlzzBulldog
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Shut up and go back to La La Land
SPEARTAKVIDREFS
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Was waiting for it.
What do you expect from a dictatorship.
What do you expect from a dictatorship.
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You’re behind the times as usual Alzz.
I last lived in Los Angeles in 2008.
You honestly believe that the NRL don’t want the Bulldogs to win a Premiership because of some perceived ‘hate’, even though it would mean a rise in membership, ticketing and merchandise revenue for them to say the least?
Yeah, cut your nose off to spite your face, great tactic.
You swallowed all the nonsense around Trump, Covid and now this. What’s next??
.
AlzzBulldog
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Trump 2024 babyYou’re behind the times as usual Alzz.
I last lived in Los Angeles in 2008.
You honestly believe that the NRL don’t want the Bulldogs to win a Premiership because of some perceived ‘hate’, even though it would mean a rise in membership, ticketing and merchandise revenue for them to say the least?
Yeah, cut your nose off to spite your face, great tactic.
You swallowed all the nonsense around Trump, Covid and now this. What’s next??
ChesoBulldog
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What a nothing article written by DT journo’s who loves having a go at Gus