Philip Ronald Gould is a winner, and the Penrith Panthers will be the beneficiaries for a second time under his wing.
Maybe not this year, even though the men from the mountains have made it into the top four of the NRL premiership, despite being without as many as 10 of their regulars.
The Panthers take on minor premiers the Roosters tomorrow night at Allianz, and only the bravest of punters would expect the Panthers to win.
But this is just the springboard for bigger and better things, starting next season.
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And that’s because Gould is the man at the helm, with his vast knowledge and ability to communicate one-on-one, or publicly as a mentor, commentator, or columnist.
In his playing days Gould was a superb ball distributor in the Artie Beetson mould, he could offload when he appeared well held. And he had a sharp football brain.
Those attributes were handy when he first started coaching the Bulldogs in 1988, and the Panthers in 1990.
In his first five years calling the shots, Gould coached two premierships, the Bulldogs in 1988, beating Balmain 24-12, and the Panthers in 1991, downing the Raiders 19-12.
Gould had great cattle with the Bulldogs – Steve Mortimer, Terry Lamb, Andrew Farrer, Michael Hagan, Peter Tunks (c), Paul Dunn, David Gilespie, Steve Folkes, and Paul Langmack.
He also had many bright young footballers at Penrith, with Brad Fittler, Greg Alexander (c) Brad Izzard, Steve Carter, and Mark Geyer, with the experience of Royce Simmons, Paul Dunn, and John Cartwright.
But both premiership teams had the Gould stamp on them, playing attacking football, with solid defence.
That’s why Phil Gould is the most successful NSW Origin coach. In eight years from 1992 to 1996 and 2002 to 2004, Gould engineered six series wins, a drawn series, and one loss in 1995.
His Origin record – 24 games, 14 wins, 9 losses, and a draw.
What makes Gould so special is his ability to select those around him to make a rock-solid team structure.
His appointment of Ivan Cleary from the Warriors as head coach was a masterstroke, just as picking up the slack with playmaker Jamie Soward, who had a prickly relationship with his previous clubs at the Roosters and Dragons.
It’s the Gould way or the highway, and by selecting quality support staff off and on the field, the highway leads to premierships.
Cleary is going gangbusters as coach, Soward has become the go-to man with his generalship around the park, and his trusty left boot for finding touch and kicking goals.
The big three Panthers – Phil Gould, Ivan Cleary and Jamie Soward – are stalking the premiership, but 2015 looks the more likely.
notsofatmike
Guest
He said 'most successful NSW origin coach'. I dont believe Mal ever coached NSW. I
hindsight
Guest
his greatest innovation to Origin is 'slow the ruck' tactic now he complains endlessly in commentary it's nauseating
Knightblues
Roar Guru
The rejuvenation of Phil Moneyball Gould. ( *moneyball name pinched from a Debbie Spillane topic.)
Mickyt
Guest
Hagan has 8 series wins along with Mal.
FrozenNorth
Guest
You people are crazy. They will not win a comp with this group, full stop. I am absolutely certain of it. Making the top four 'cos of a soft draw is one thing but winning the comp? They're miles away from it.
Albo
Guest
As a long term Panther fan, but with little love for Phil Gould, ( I well remember how he pilfered the Panthers during the Super League wars and some early 90's team destructive issues , and how the club nearly ended up morphing into the Parramatta Panthers or the Penrith Eels !), you cannot knock his ability to build a winning outfit ! But the key to his current success, I believe is his selection of Ivan Cleary as the coach. Cleary seems to have the ability to continually bring out the 100% performance level of every player that has taken the field for the Panthers this year. Fringe players and journeymen alike, and young up and comers are quickly reaching their potential and holding that form. Previously unfashionable or fringe players like Sika Manu, Jeremy Latimore, Nigel Plum, Matt Robinson, Adam Docker, Lewis Brown , Sam McKendry, & even Jamie Soward & Jamal Idris, have never played so well in 2014. Whilst the future is looking really bright for the Panthers, don't write them off yet for 2014. They are a serious chance of knocking over the Roosters tomorrow if they can maintain their current form and belief, and Cleary is just the coach to keep that flame going !
Sideline Comm.
Guest
Learn to read champ. "That’s why Phil Gould is the most successful NSW Origin coach."
nerval
Guest
From the outside looking in, the Panthers seem to me to a club others should try to model themselves on. They represent so much more than what the First X111 do out on the paddock from week to week. By all accounts, their players do so much for the local community and there seems to be a real connection between the club and its fans. As for Phil Gould, I understand how some of his mannerisms or favourite tropes in the commentary box might irritate a few people but, really, there is no one in Australia who understands the game better nor is there anyone better equipped to lead the game onto the next level. Dave Smith, as with his predecessor, does not convince me that he has what it takes to see the game fulfil its potential. I give the Panthers a 40:60 chance of turning over the Roosters. I can't wait to see the game unfold.
Realist 1975
Guest
Gould deserves credit but so does Cleary and the players. Ivan Cleary is such a under-rated coach it was staggering to see the Warriors let him go. Saying that I believe that the Panthers battled against their fellow 7 teams in a head to head the least this season. In terms of Gould as a NSW coach I will always wonder why he never wanted to coach against QLD during their 8 year dominance.
Johnnyball
Guest
And the legend grows folks, Gould the all knowing, Gould the omnipotent, all knowing not to mention a marvel man. Makes you wonder why he is such a lousy commentator.
Matthew Edwards
Guest
I hate the lack of credit for cleary. But this guy did specify NSW coach
Wayne
Guest
Most successful origin coach? Doesn't Mal have 8 series wins... -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Matthew Edwards
Guest
What? No love for Ivan Cleary? I feel sorry for that guy. He has been as important if not more so than Gould
xavialonso
Guest
Gus Gould deserves all the credit for the panthers climb to the top of the table. I never thought they would finish in the top 8, let alone the top 4. I agree that a premiership may be a year away for the mountain men though. But you've gotta respect how Gus has transformed this club and shut the haterz up.