‘Misguided’: Phil Gould must change tune on NRL SuperCoach

Phil Gould’s negative comments on SuperCoach and fantasy sports in general are misguided, uneducated and above all, out of touch.

Three years ago I would watch just one game of rugby league a week and care nothing for any club outside my Dragons.

These days I watch four matches a week — minimum — and take an active interest in all 16 NRL clubs.

I now talk rugby league too. With friends. With colleagues. On social media.

So, what changed three years ago to turn this casual rugby league viewer into an avid fan? SuperCoach NRL happened.

As soon as I got hooked on SuperCoach my interest in the wider world of rugby league skyrocketed.

Phil Gould has strong views on fantasy sports.

And I’m not the only one, which is why Phil Gould’s comments on SuperCoach and fantasy sports in general are misguided, uneducated and above all, out of touch with the people he should be focussing on the most — NRL fans.

The Penrith Panthers boss sparked the ire of the fantasy sports world on Friday and Saturday when he blamed SuperCoach and associated technologies for lowering the skills of Australia’s younger generation, said gambling was better because of the money it brings into the NRL, and vowed never to let one of his players be interviewed for SuperCoach.

“I have no problem with Fantasy sports. People obviously enjoy it. However they exist outside of what we do. We can promote it. But we don’t answer to it,” Gould said on Twitter.

“Gambling brings far more people and money to the sport than fantasy sports. Players are not permitted to talk to gamblers. They don’t promote gambling. Yet gambling turnover grows significantly every year.

“All I see over the past 10 years is technology, smartphones, social media platforms, gaming entertainment, excessive porn availability, building a generation of kids with no skills or tools to deal with real life. I make no apology.

“How does SuperCoach get kids into the parks? We never had SuperCoach when we were growing up. We were in the parks all the time. Summer and winter.”

Phil Gould doesn’t appear to be a fan of SuperCoach.

At a time when the NRL is battling scandal after scandal, sponsors are leaving the game and fans refuse to fill stadiums or even turn on the television, you would think a product which encourages fans to talk about nothing but the football itself would be welcomed.

No-one is suggesting clubs “answer” to SuperCoach as Gould stated.

In its simplest form what clubs do is play football. Interviews with Fox Sports and Channel 9 exist outside of that function but still happen on a regular basis.

Doing SuperCoach interviews would be no different. A journalist wanting to know if an injured player is on track for a return to the field this week is no different than a SuperCoach player wanting to find out the same thing. One serves the news and one serves their fantasy team but the question — and the answer — are still the same.

Why do clubs think social media accounts like that of Brisbane-based physiotherapist Brien Seeney have experienced such a meteoric rise in popularity over the last 18 months? Because the hunger for knowledge around teams is growing largely due to the rise in popularity of fantasy sports. Seeney’s alter ego NRL Physio and his thousands of social media followers are testament to that.

MORE SUPERCOACH:

Full SuperCoach News section / Cheapie Bible / Predicted round one teams / Sangster’s team / Champ’s team / Wilfred’s team / Tallis’s team / Copes’ team / Huge rule change / Top 10 rookies in NRL

Rugby league is more than just the 80 minutes stars spend on the field each week. It is the community work they do with schools and charities, the press conferences and photo shoots, the open training sessions for fans.

All these things exist outside what the clubs are there to do but they all work to promote the game to a wider audience.

Players talking about SuperCoach only adds to that and every club that turns their backs on people interested in fantasy sports does their business and the NRL a disservice.

People watch their team. SuperCoach players watch every team. Why not embrace that?

Never https://t.co/jF6xbAniNT

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) March 8, 2019

It’s not an odd response. It’s an honest response. I have no problem with Fantasy sports. People obviously enjoy it. However they exist outside of what we do do. We can promote it. But we don’t answer to it. https://t.co/tyrWpK8IuI

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) March 8, 2019

That’s great. The game embraces fantasy sports. Enjoy it for what it is. Gambling brings far more people and money to the sport than fantasy sports. Players are not permitted to talk to gamblers. They don’t promote gambling. Yet gambling turnover grows significantly every year. https://t.co/NYEQxKYPLx

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) March 8, 2019

I beg your pardon. My response is not rubbish. It’s actually very accurate. You obviously have an opinion about gambling on sports. Good on you. Many will agree. However, turnover grows every year and it appears a lot of people do it, despite your dislike of gambling. https://t.co/Up43iZ5E1o

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) March 8, 2019

Indeed it is. But that bird has flown. Social media is a cesspool. But that’s not going to change. Mobile phones and technology are ruining kids lives and communication skills. Too late though. Indoor gaming on technology is ruining kids health and well being. Solve that please. https://t.co/PorTRPiGaN

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) March 8, 2019

???? How does SuperCoach get kids into the parks? We never had SuperCoach when we were growing up. We were in the parks all the time. Summer and winter. https://t.co/HDITww4lnF

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) March 8, 2019

I think that’s a made up argument based on wishful thinking without any facts to support it. I know you enjoy your SuperCoach. I’m happy for you. I have no problem with fantasy sports. But I don’t see you interviewing players about it. Enjoy the season ahead. https://t.co/u3gVzg9eW4

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) March 8, 2019

I never said it did. I’m not beating my chest. I answered a question. But thanks for playing. https://t.co/voT1XtoFRv

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) March 8, 2019

Interviewed by who? https://t.co/vNAtRkpQJf

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) March 8, 2019

Your 2 and 4 year old are playing SuperCoach? https://t.co/j5QcEiagDg

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) March 8, 2019

It’s not short sighted. It’s experienced. All I see over the past 10 years is technology, smartphones, social media platforms, gaming entertainment, excessive porn availability, building a generation of kids with no skills or tools to deal with real life. I make no apology. https://t.co/VQWF6gPe5P

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) March 8, 2019

These guys, with their anonymous SuperCoach accounts, are up until 2am, trying to justify and promote their world to me. It’s an example of what I’m saying. Nice kids. Obviously very passionate about Fantasy. I’m not. As for fantasy sports attracting kids to the sport? That’s BS. https://t.co/gnt0kxQmZe

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) March 8, 2019

Yeah, it’s done wonders for America. A society that’s become a role model for the rest of the world. Let’s follow what they do. https://t.co/nQ2W8I0Uma

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) March 8, 2019

You have to read where this conversation started. I’ve no problem with Fantasy sports. Or people who play it. Good on them. The conversation started because a SuperCoach player asked if I would let him interview NRL players about his fantasy football. I said no. With good reason https://t.co/1LKncs9vfn

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) March 8, 2019

Exactly. Coaches will tell you that some NRL players are wrongly influenced by what points or stats they score on Fantasy sport. The things that SuperCoach values are quite often NOT the measure of a player’s job or his contribution to the team. The worlds are different. https://t.co/BP1vKTvZTp

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) March 8, 2019

Go back and read the whole conversation instead of coming in at the back end. You’ve missed the point. https://t.co/0bGZgAmZr0

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) March 9, 2019

Originally published as ‘Misguided’: Phil Gould must change tune on NRL SuperCoach