Phil Gould used to drive the news cycle with his opinions. Now he generates headlines when he doesn’t share them.
The biggest talking point stemming from the opening State of Origin encounter was the only one Gould wasn’t prepared to broach. NSW’s most successful coach, during a post-game show analysing the biggest comeback win in interstate history, wouldn’t be drawn on the controversial Kalyn Ponga send-off.
The Blues’ thrilling 22-20 victory is unlikely to have transpired if not for Ponga’s dismissal. The Queensland fullback was marched in the 58th minute for a shoulder charge on Tolu Koula that prematurely ended both their evenings.
So why wouldn’t “Gus” weigh in on the controversy?
Sources not authorised to speak publicly have told this masthead that Gould didn’t feel Ponga’s actions warranted a send-off. However, given his dual roles in the game – as the general manager of football at Canterbury and as a commentator at Nine, publisher of this masthead, when the network is in broadcast negotiations with the NRL – Gould felt it would bring pressure on those organisations at a delicate time.
By saying nothing he said everything, making his point without placing his employers into an invidious position.
When contacted by this masthead, Gould declined to comment, but indicated that his position shouldn’t be difficult to work out.
Regardless, it made for compelling television on the post-game show after an Origin match for the ages. The other panellists weighed into the debate along state lines: Maroons legend Darren Lockyer described referee Ashley Klein’s decision as “perplexing”, while Blues counterpart Brad Fittler felt the onus was on the defender to provide a duty of care to the ball-carrier.
Then host James Bracey turned to Gould for his thoughts.
“Gus, you’re heavily involved in clubland as well, players, do they see it like that?” Bracey asked. “That they have the responsibility as defenders to look after whoever they are tackling?”
Gould paused. The week before he had been on a media charm offensive, stepping up to defend the misfiring Bulldogs after a five-game losing streak. It began with an appearance on 100% Footy, continued on his Six Tackles with Gus podcast and culminated in a wide-ranging 90-minute chat with James Graham on The Bye Round podcast.
But regarding Ponga’s dismissal, Gould was staying mum.
“James, I suggest you ask someone else, rather than me, if you don’t mind,” Gould replied. “I’d like you to keep your job.”
The exchange quickly went viral on social media.
Gould has put plenty of noses out of joint with his opinions over the years, whether it be his criticism of the modern game or for supposedly publicly courting Wests Tigers recruit Lachlan Galvin. The NRL even implemented what many in rugby league have branded the “Gus Rule”, an anti-tampering crackdown that prevents club officials or player agents from publicly courting players under contract.
While Gould didn’t weigh into the latest issue, rarely has someone said so much by saying so little.
