NRL 2024: Phil Gould escapes fine for ‘stupid’ NRL rant | Saint, Sinner, Shoosh
The NRL backs down from its decision to fine Phil Gould for his ‘stupid’ TV rant, glamour couple Liam Knight and Danika Mason papped at an NRL game, and more in Saint, Sinner, Shoosh.
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Canterbury Bulldogs general manager and Channel 9 commentator Phil Gould has escaped a $10,000 fine over his TV rant 10 weeks ago in which he slammed the NRL.
Gould was issued with an official breach notice on May 2, proposing a $20,000 fine, half of it to be suspended over two years.
Now it’s been revealed that Mr Untouchable won’t be paying a cent.
In a press release at the time the NRL said: “It is alleged that on the 100% Footy program on Monday evening, Gould made public comments considered to be detrimental to the best interests of the game, in contravention of the NRL Rules.”
Chief executive Andrew Abdo added: “Destructive attacks on the game itself will not be tolerated.
“This is a professional sport and our leaders should set the standard around reasoned debate and respect for the game.”
The NRL was applauded at the time for finally taking a stance on the previously untouchable Bulldogs boss.
Gould hired a lawyer and now the NRL has softened its stance.
Instead of paying the $10,000 fine, the breach notice will stand but the $20,000 is suspended for 12 months.
A number of NRL club officials are surprised to say the least.
One CEO told me: “There’s one set of rules for Gus and one for everyone else.
“We get fined and we have to pay. Gus gets fined then gets off.”
The CEO declined to put his name to the quotes because Gus is such a powerful figure in the game.
Gould had slammed the game on Channel 9’s 100 Percent Footy show.
“Our game’s so stupid,” he said, “You can lose the ball over the line and it costs you 20m and seven tackles. Why?
“I don’t know because it’s stupid. But I can just take a line drop out and it goes out on the full no consequence.
“It’s nothing at all – what sort of stupid game is this? Who sits and makes up these rules?”
Abdo declined to comment when contacted on Friday.
SAINT
There is one man who has had little or no recognition for the part he played in the NSW Blues’ series win — and being humble he’d like it that way. Melbourne Storm general manager Frank Ponissi was welcomed into the Blues camp this year as Michael Maguire’s right-hand man. He ensured everything ran smoothly over the campaign and was a huge asset to NSW.
SINNER
More pain for NRL clubs out of Origin. Mitch Moses was injured and is gone for the year. Cameron Murray and Haumole Olakau’atu both suspended for two games – and deservedly so. But why do the clubs have to pay the penalty. How about dishing out bigger fines rather than suspensions?
SHOOSH
Which player manager is running scared of the father of one of rugby league’s hottest young footballers over attempts to move his son from his current club. The dad wants stability for his son while the manager is looking for a big earn.
SPOTTED
Paul Green’s wife Amanda and her children were recently guests of Knights general manager Peter Parr in Newcastle. Greeny’s son Jed went to a game and watched the team train. In a lovely touch, Jackson Hastings signed his training shirt and gave it to Jed to thank the young fella for helping out with his kicking practice.
SPOTTED
Newcastle and Queensland Maroons Origin superstar Kalyn Ponga filming an advertisement for a deodorant company.
SPOTTED
Normally seeing footballers at The Star casino at 6am on a Monday would be a cause for concern. Not though when it’s proud Englishman Dominic Young and Tom Burgess drinking water while watching their country in the Euro final against Spain on the big screen in the sports bar.
BIG BREKKY
Catch you this morning on the Weekend Big Sports Breakfast from 7am when your columnist will be alongside Ray Thomas, filling in for Dean Ritchie, who is on assignment in PNG.
PVL TO FIX ORIGIN
The NRL is sitting back and basking in the glory of another magnificent State of Origin series.
Record breaking TV ratings, sellout crowds and one of the all-time great contests in the decider.
No other sporting code on this planet can put on a show of physical brutality anything like it.
This was off-the-charts sporting intensity in a game that is now tougher than ever before because the athletes are so much bigger, stronger, faster and more powerful than ever before.
The demands on players are far greater than 44 years ago when Origin was launched in 1980.
This is why ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys walked out of Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night asking himself: ‘How long can we keep this up?’
That at some stage the game needs to stop and take a deeper dive into player welfare and the structure and scheduling around this showpiece event.
V’landys declined to comment when your columnist rang him on Friday.
He will wait to raise it with commissioners at their next meeting.
Everything will be up for discussion including the effect the series has on the integrity of the competition where some teams lose as many as six players but other don’t lose any.
As for the players, they need to be protected from their own courage and bravery.
Most of them put their hands up to back up and play the weekend after Origin.
They don’t want to let their club, their fans or their teammates down.
You’ve got to admire them for that.
But it doesn’t make it right.
V’landys recently met with RLPA boss Clint Newton over a number of issues including Origin.
“Players backing up from these games has to be high on the agenda,” Newton said.
“Our players need protection. Absolutely they want to back up for their clubs but are we doing the right thing by them?
“It’s so critical we look at the scheduling. The model is never going to be perfect but I believe there are enough smart people in the game to work alongside Peter (V’landys) to find solutions.
“This isn’t a maybe … it’s a necessity.”
BLUES HONOUR TURVEY
The NSW Blues dedicated their State of Origin triumph to Steve “Turvey” Mortimer and our heroes of 1985.
It was the most respectful and touching tribute.
Turvey watched the Blues brilliantly outclass Queensland from his nursing home in Revesby, from where he is battling dementia.
The great man would have loved every minute of it.
NO KISS AND TELL FOR LIAM AND DANIKA
Canterbury Bulldogs forward Liam Knight has politely declined to comment on his flourishing relationship with Channel 9 presenter Danika Mason as new photos emerge of the couple at Brookvale Oval last weekend.
Mason was on hosting duties for the Nine network while Knight was there to support his close mate Tom Trbojevic, who was captaining the Sea Eagles for the first time against the Knights.
In the week prior, Knight made their relationship official on Instagram by posting a photo of the happy couple with the caption: “My life’s good.”
So I reached out to Knight now that he had made it all official.
It’s such a lovely story for a guy who has overcome some major issues over the years to be so happy now alongside the much-admired Mason, who has emerged from a difficult relationship break-up with her former fiancee on the eve of their wedding.
They look so happy together.
Knight is still not comfortable talking about their private life.
He returned a text message on Friday, respectfully declining to comment.
‘TIME’S UP FREDDY’ WAS TO THE LETTER
Last year, I wrote an open letter to Brad Fittler, calling on the NSW coach to stand down from the Origin coaching position.
A Channel 9 hatchet man responded with: “He (Freddy) worked for the Nine network and was always going to be a target for News Corp.”
Wednesday night’s magnificent series win at Suncorp Stadium vindicated absolutely everything that was said in that open letter.
That it was time for a change and that the NSWRL picked the right man in Michael “Madge” Maguire to step in to restore pride in the Blues jersey.
The trophy is now back home where it belongs.
Fittler was the most magnificent rugby league ambassador, and no one had done more for the state – on and off the field.
It’s why it was such a difficult column to write – and so disappointing and disrespectful when the hatchet man tried to suggest it had anything to do with his Channel 9 employment.
Three series losses in four years were simply unacceptable. Go back to some of Freddy’s selection decisions last year. None was worse than Dylan Edwards, Clive Churchill Medal winner in 2022, the best fullback in the game on form, yet unwanted.
Even Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater was chosen ahead of Edwards as the 18th man.
But back to the point of this item.
Sports journalists are not cheerleaders. We need to be strong and to call out administrators and highlight the areas and issues when and where change is required.
It’s our job.
It has nothing whatsoever to do with the place of employment of subjects of these articles.
Fittler is a legend, but his time was up.
BEST IS EVEN BETTER
The day after his magnificent State of Origin performance, Blues centre Bradman Best was out doing some wonderful community work.
Best travelled to Singleton to speak at an Aboriginal health and wellbeing event.
And didn’t the locals love having him there.
It was a huge effort, just Like Latrell Mitchell the day after Origin in Melbourne when he went bush to run some coaching clinics.
‘PHINS WANT TPJ TO STAY
The Dolphins are desperately trying to keep front-rower Tevita Pangai Junior at the club next season rather than him following Wayne Bennett to the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
The 28-year-old has been outstanding since giving away boxing to return to the NRL.
You’d think the powerhouse front-rower would be unlikely to join Souths considering his comments about living in Sydney when he left Canterbury Bulldogs.
“I just hated Sydney,” he said, “I didn’t enjoy the city.”
Nevertheless, the Dolphins are taking no chances, knowing how much he respects Bennett.
They already have 30 spots filled in their 2025 roster but will be looking to include Pangai Junior at the expense of another player.
“We’ll be doing everything possible to keep him,” said CEO Terry Reader.
QLD CAPTAIN’S CALL
Daly Cherry Evans will make a decision on his NRL and State of Origin future in the off-season.
Manly’s captain is off-contract at the end of next season but there is talk he will extend for 12 months. Origin is the big question mark.
Billy Slater is spoiled for options if DCE decides to retire from rep footy with Tom Dearden or Rooster Sam Walker ready to step in at halfback.
Plus there’s Cameron Munster to come back at five-eighth next year or Ezra Mam to play five-eighth.
LET’S GET IN RON
The man who invented the concept of State of Origin in 1980 would have loved the brawl on Wednesday night.
The ex-Queensland Rugby League boss Ron McAuliffe enjoyed a bit of biffo.
One of my first interstate assignments at Lang Park in the early 80s was a midweek Panasonic Cup game between Combined Brisbane and South Sydney. It featured one of the worst brawls I’ve ever seen involving almost every player.
Next day, McAuliffe declared under the headline BRAWL GOOD FOR TV RATINGS that the fans loved it. And Channel 10’s ratings backed it up.
Nothing has changed … Nine attracted a massive TV audience on Wednesday night and newspaper websites and social media went into meltdown.
A-LEAGUE SCORES ANOTHER OWN GOAL
The A-League keeps kicking own goals; this time with the launch of the Magic Round-inspired Unite Round.
First of all, the A-League rolled out its announcement on the morning after one of the greatest Origin deciders of all time.
No surprise the news sank almost without a trace outside of soccer circles.
There are other dumb decisions along the way, including the segregation of the round with all A-League Women’s matches shunted to Leichhardt Oval, with the men’s matches at Allianz Stadium.
The biggest stars in the game are the current and future Matildas, but the A-League officials are sending them out to a dilapidated suburban ground rather than the newest football stadium in the country.
The round will also shift the F3 Derby to Sydney on a Friday night, meaning Newcastle and Central Coast fans will have to knock off early and head down the F3 to cheer on their teams. Good luck.
And a message for all the soccer ferals on social media – don’t shoot the messenger, like you normally do.
Your complaints should be addressed to the governing body of the A-League, not this battling old rugby league scribe.
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