NRL 2021: Phil Gould to bring stability an certainty to the Bulldogs
Phil Gould says he’s committed to work ‘as long as it takes’ to fix the Bulldogs and ensure the club he loves earns the respect it deserves.
NRL
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Phil Gould has done this before.
In his new role at Canterbury he will work off the same blue print which helped the Panthers grow to become a competition heavyweight.
More than three decades after last walking through the doors at Belmore he arrives as the club’s new head of footy.
Gould took a moment to look at his Bulldogs polo when it arrived at his door on Friday night. It’s the same club colours he tasted premiership success as a player and coach.
“I laid them on the table last night and took a moment to look at the colours,” Gould said. “The messages I’ve had in the past 12 hours is incredible. Even people that were involved many years ago. This is a great club. We just need to pull it all together.”
Gould said he is in the role for “as long as it takes”.
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WHAT NEEDS FIXING
Covid-19 restrictions will mean Gould starts his stint at home. He does not know when he will get face-to-face time with the players but understands what needs to happen at the club.
“We have to start with what we’ve got,” Gould said. “We have to create an environment where our current staff and players are able to perform their best and be passionate about what they are doing.
“I’ve always believed in junior development and pathways through a club. You build from within. We have to get short-term results under long-term plans. We have to give fans something to cheer for.
“Performances have been so poor. Sometimes people from the outside can see it happening more than people from the inside. I bring a fresh set of eyes. There is no quick fix which they’ve probably tried.
“You have to start at the beginning. You can’t start at chapter 11 and hope to get a result. We need to establish a long-term path of the club. That’s what we will be doing. I’ll be starting at the very beginning.”
Here we go!!
— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) July 16, 2021
FIRST PHONE CALL
When the deal was finalised on Friday, Gould picked up the phone and called Trent Barrett. The pair share a close bond with Gould even telling Barrett to consider not taking on the Canterbury position this year. While Gould said he won’t be involved in coaching, he will support Barrett anyway the coach wants.
“I spoke to him when I was first approached,” Gould said. “I’ve known Trent a long time. I encouraged him to be a coach and gave him his first opportunity. He has had a couple of tough starts. I believe in him as a person and coach.”
Gould said lots had changed at the club since he made the comments telling Barrett to reconsider.
“From the outside it’s been a difficult time with changes at senior management and board level,” Gould said. “We need stability at board level. That will give the coaches and players a chance to perform their best.”
“We employ coaches. Our job is to create an environment where all the basics are adhered to.”
PLAYER ROSTER
Gould worked closely with marquee signing Matt Burton during his time at the Panthers. He is excited by his arrival but will work through the club’s roster in the coming weeks.
“I haven’t been through the salary cap yet,” Gould said.
“Matt’s an exciting purchase. The (Bulldogs) have struggled in the playmaking positions. They’ve been active in the player market. We have to be an attraction for players, attraction for junior players and staff who want to make a career in professional sport.
“That’s how we need to be perceived.”
FIRST APPROACH
The Bulldogs wanted Gould about two months ago. But he remained committed to the Warriors. Talks resumed the past fortnight and were so clandestine that Barrett and chief executive Aaron Warbuton were not told until Friday.
Gould had spoken to the Warriors about concerns he was becoming a ‘financial burden’ on the club with Covid-19 throwing his role into chaos. He has laid the foundations for the Warriors Academy and had a zoom with the youngsters last week.
Gould has kept the door ajar to maintain a role with the Warriors in a voluntary capacity to help them build on building the grassroots programs in New Zealand.
CATS AND DOGS: PANTHERS LOST TO CANTERBURY
GM of football: Phil Gould (Penrith GM of football 2011-2019)
Head coach: Trent Barrett (Penrith assistant coach 2013-15, 2020)
Assistant coach: David Tangata-Toa (Penrith lower grade coach 2013-2017)
Strength and conditioning coach: Luke Portese (Penrith specialist coach 2019-2020)
Chief Financial Officer: John White (CFO of Penrith 2003-2020)
Sports Scientist: Ryan Simmons (Penrith lower grades sports scientist 2018)
Matt Burton (Penrith 20 NRL games)
Brent Naden (Penrith 31 NRL games)
Jack Hetherington (Penrith 17 NRL games)
Corey Waddell (Penrith NSW Cup 2018)
Sione Katoa (Penrith 47 NRL games)
Christian Crichton (Penrith 20 NRL games)
Chris Smith (Penrith one game)
HOW IT BROKE: BULLDOGS SHOCK AS GUS RETURNS TO BELMORE
Phil Gould is back at Belmore for the first time in 32 years. The Canterbury premiership winning coach has joined the club as its new head of football.
The shock decision comes after Gould’s most recent role with the Warriors had been slashed significantly because of Covid-19.
Gould made his mark as a player and coach at Canterbury - winning a premiership in his first year as coach in 1988. He left the club at the end of the next season before going on to coach the Panthers to a premiership win.
Gould said “it was a great opportunity” to return to Canterbury.
“I had an approach from the Bulldogs before Magic Round,” Gould told Channel 9. “At the time I politely declined because I was committed to the Warriors. It felt like we were getting traction. I haven’t seen Warriors coaches or players for eight or nine weeks. It made sense for the Warriors and for me.
He added participation “is key” to Canterbury’s success. Gould will maintain a link with the Warriors and help develop their junior academy.
Gould will provide some much needed support to coach Trent Barrett. The pair share a close bond first during Gould’s time as a coach for NSW where Barrett played then during their time at Penrith in recent seasons. Gould actually warned Barrett against taking on the Bulldogs coaching job before he started in the role during the off-season.
Bulldogs staff and players were told of Gould’s appointment as they watched the Friday night clash between Manly and St George Illawarra in their Queensland hub.
Canterbury chairman John Khoury said Gould’s appointment would help turn the club’s fortunes around.
“Phil has a great relationship with Trent Barrett and we firmly believe that he can help to drive us forward to getting back to where we need to be - namely as a premiership contender once again,” Khoury said. “A great deal of work went into ensuring we recruited the right person for the football manager role and I am delighted that the club will get to benefit from Phil’s knowledge and track record of success, as we look to the future.”
The Bulldogs have been without a head of football since dumping club legend Steve Price last October. Gould was first linked to the role by The Daily Telegraph in June.
Canterbury have already been active in the player market already attracting Matt Burton, Josh Addo-Carr, Brent Naden and Matt Dufty for next season. They want to land forwards Paul Vaughan and Tevita Pangai Jnr.
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