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NRL under pressure from clubs to censor Phil Gould
ByMichael Chammas
Updated April 17, 2023 — 7.59amfirst published April 16, 2023 — 5.00pm
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https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/live-scores?match=535095874
Frustration is growing among club land over the NRL’s apparent reluctance to censor Canterbury Bulldogs general manager and Channel Nine commentator Phil Gould for his comments on key issues within the game.
As someone who sits alongside Gould on 100% Footy, his opinions are often polarising. It makes for excellent television. He provides Nine, the publisher of this masthead, plenty of content and drives a lot of traffic to the network whether you agree or disagree with his views.
However, there are some clubs complaining about perceived double standards from the NRL, who hold the coaches to account over their comments on a weekly basis.
Phil Gould implored Joseph Suaalii to leave the NRL immediately after signing a multimillion-dollar contract to switch codes at the end of next year.CREDIT:GETTY IMAGES
There are some clubs who want Gould and the Bulldogs to face breach notices for some of the things he says both in the media and on social media. Gould did not respond to requests for comment.
The NRL is aware of the angst among the clubs and pressure is mounting on NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo and ARLC chairman Peter V’landys to intervene.
They have heard the whispers from clubs who believe head office is too afraid of Gould, one of the most influential men in the sport, to sanction him.
Several complaints have been made. Rival clubs have been recording the comments, and screenshotting social media posts with the aim of presenting it to the NRL if they try to fine one of their coaches for comments they deem inappropriate.
Gus Gould has responded to Trent Robinson's comments, telling Gus to 'relax' and claiming Gus of being 'fearful'
There are several conflicts of interest in the media. The Melbourne Storm last year complained about accredited player agent Braith Anasta, who they believed was inflating the price of his client Cameron Munster through comments and opinions aired on Fox Sports’ NRL 360.
NRL rules prohibit club employees from publicly criticising registered officials within the game. That doesn’t appear to be of concern to the NRL.
Of greater concern is when Gould passes judgment on live investigations, as he did after the Good Friday game when Bulldogs back-rower Jacob Preston was sin-binned and placed on report for an alleged hip-drop tackle. The NRL declined to comment.
The NRL has to decide if this is a fight worth picking. When a war of words erupted between Gould and Roosters coach Trent Robinson a few weeks ago over Joseph Suaalii’s place in the game, the Bulldogs supremo declared “I fear no one” on his Six Tackles with Gus podcast. His comments of late seem to back that up.
ByMichael Chammas
Updated April 17, 2023 — 7.59amfirst published April 16, 2023 — 5.00pm
Save
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/live-scores?match=535095874
Frustration is growing among club land over the NRL’s apparent reluctance to censor Canterbury Bulldogs general manager and Channel Nine commentator Phil Gould for his comments on key issues within the game.
As someone who sits alongside Gould on 100% Footy, his opinions are often polarising. It makes for excellent television. He provides Nine, the publisher of this masthead, plenty of content and drives a lot of traffic to the network whether you agree or disagree with his views.
However, there are some clubs complaining about perceived double standards from the NRL, who hold the coaches to account over their comments on a weekly basis.
Phil Gould implored Joseph Suaalii to leave the NRL immediately after signing a multimillion-dollar contract to switch codes at the end of next year.CREDIT:GETTY IMAGES
There are some clubs who want Gould and the Bulldogs to face breach notices for some of the things he says both in the media and on social media. Gould did not respond to requests for comment.
The NRL is aware of the angst among the clubs and pressure is mounting on NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo and ARLC chairman Peter V’landys to intervene.
They have heard the whispers from clubs who believe head office is too afraid of Gould, one of the most influential men in the sport, to sanction him.
Several complaints have been made. Rival clubs have been recording the comments, and screenshotting social media posts with the aim of presenting it to the NRL if they try to fine one of their coaches for comments they deem inappropriate.
Gus Gould has responded to Trent Robinson's comments, telling Gus to 'relax' and claiming Gus of being 'fearful'
There are several conflicts of interest in the media. The Melbourne Storm last year complained about accredited player agent Braith Anasta, who they believed was inflating the price of his client Cameron Munster through comments and opinions aired on Fox Sports’ NRL 360.
NRL rules prohibit club employees from publicly criticising registered officials within the game. That doesn’t appear to be of concern to the NRL.
Of greater concern is when Gould passes judgment on live investigations, as he did after the Good Friday game when Bulldogs back-rower Jacob Preston was sin-binned and placed on report for an alleged hip-drop tackle. The NRL declined to comment.
The NRL has to decide if this is a fight worth picking. When a war of words erupted between Gould and Roosters coach Trent Robinson a few weeks ago over Joseph Suaalii’s place in the game, the Bulldogs supremo declared “I fear no one” on his Six Tackles with Gus podcast. His comments of late seem to back that up.
