Yvonne Sampson: Penrith have lost Phil Gould, rugby league must ensure he remains in the game

There is no one else who has given more to the game than Phil Gould, nor is there anyone who holds the code to account more stringently or celebrates the personal joys harder than him, writes Yvonne Sampson.

Yvonne Sampson knows the importance of Phil Gould to the NRL. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)

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Rugby league needs Phil Gould. Our community needs people like Gus.

There is no one else who has given more to the game, who holds the code to account more stringently or celebrates the personal joys harder than him.

Gus’s intellect is formidable, his tactical nous is proven and his respect for the history of the game is second to none.

Yvonne Sampson knows the importance of Phil Gould to the NRL. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)

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He is the one person who everyone from debutants to CEOs can and do ring for guidance and advice. Invariably it’s right.

Growing up as a Queenslander, you couldn’t say out loud you agreed with “Blue-Eyed” Gus. It was like sitting at the Caxton and trying to argue Brett Kenny was better than Wally Lewis. Sacrilegious.

What people don’t see though, is his kindness. So I want to tell you about the Gus I know.

My first day of broadcasting rugby league was terrifying.

It really had nothing to do with the fact I was a woman, but because I was sitting next to actual immortals, legends, champions and premiership winners.

Gould’s time at Penrith came to an end this week. (AAP Image/Brendan Esposito)

Thousands of games between them, men who know more about the sport I was presenting than I could possibly learn or study in many lifetimes.

My heart was racing and without getting too detailed, let’s just say I’m a nervous sweater.

Every time I started to get a bit unsure, Gus was there to pick it up and cart the conversation forward on my behalf.

He pulled me aside after the broadcast and simply said “Well done young lady.” It was a wave of warmth from an approving figure.

Phil is compassionate beyond measure. There are endless stories of people not being able to make ends meet, not being able to buy footy boots, struggling with challenging situations at home.

LISTEN! Matty with Paul Kent and James Hooper dissect the spin behind Phil Gould’s exit from the Panthers and reveal just how one match at Parramatta’s new stadium has completely changed the Sydney rugby league scene.

Gould quietly goes about his goodwill work, without fuss. From providing an emotional or financial lifeline, finding solutions for those who are lost, to setting people on a better path.

If you ask him about these unspoken good deeds, he just shakes his head and denies it.

The respect that’s showed to Gus still amazes me. It doesn’t matter what hijinks are underway, if Gus talks everybody listens.

Only Mal Meninga comes close to commanding that kind of authority.

When I made the decision to move from Channel Nine to Fox League, the first

person I called was Gus.

It was a stressful period and I was desperate not to let him down.

“It sounds to me you want a blessing rather than advice Vonny,” he said.

“Do what makes you happy.”

As usual he was right. There was no angles or pressure, just support from a

thoroughly decent man.

His departure from Penrith is not entirely unexpected and while he hasn’t managed

to secure a premiership, Gus has rebuilt the club into a western Sydney rugby

league powerhouse.

Gould was a mentor for Sampson when she joined Channel Nine. Pictured at NRL headquarters in Moore Park this morning.

When he arrived back at the club, the Panthers Group was crippled and within days

of foreclosure. Just 24 hours later Gus secured a $10 million dollar salvation

loan from James Packer to rescue the club and the rest is history.

The Panthers HQ is genuinely the envy of the NRL.

He has put himself at the frontline of criticism, willingly copping it on behalf of his

club and players.

Gus is tough, but if you’re lucky enough you’ll see the emotion. Sometimes the tears

seem to surprise even him.

I know how much the latest mobile phone scandals hurt him. Not because of what it

might do to his Panthers on the footy field but simply because he cares about

people. Not just his players, but everyone involved in the highly distressing saga.

Gus’s kindness and truth has influenced me, helped navigate some challenges and

ultimately made me feel welcome and worthwhile.

I hope for rugby league’s sake we haven’t heard Phil Gould’s famous last word.