Andrew Johns was peppered with questions from Paul Vautin during the State of Origin post-match review about coaching New South Wales, but Vautin should have directed the questioning at Phil Gould.
Johns, a more than creditable coaching option for the Blues, refused to answer one way or another about whether he would take on the representative role.
Johns would no doubt offer an irresistible passion and thirst to overthrow the historic Maroons side.
While his lack of head coaching experience is a valid thought line, his expertise and status in the game would far outweigh any need for such credentials.
But the better option is to consider hauling NSW’s most experienced and successful Origin coach out of his Penrith seclude.
Gould has transformed the Panthers into a formidable force in the National Rugby League during his time as general manager, both on and off the field.
He pushed club favourites out the door, recruited numerous players, signed many of the western Sydney league nursery’s talents to long-term deals, constructed one of the best sport headquarters in Australia, and completely turned around of one the league’s most viable clubs.
Busy working on his five-year plan at Panther, along with his extensive media commitments, means ‘Gus’ has not been involved in coaching since his last stint with NSW ended, in 2004.
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Now, as Laurie Daley would attest, coaching a State of Origin side is not a year-round commitment. Yes, you have to watch players throughout the NRL season to keep track of the moments and form, but it hardly consumes your life.
As one of the best minds in rugby league, Gould could probably pick his side off the top of his head.
The biggest effect Gould would have on the players of today is the size of his aura and presence.
Players would cease to talk when he walked in a room. The entire squad would respond to his status and ability as a coach. No one would put in half-arse efforts. It would be no nonsense, 100 per cent commitment from Gould that would bring out the best in each and every individual.
Before NSW broke the drought in 2014, Gould sat on the Channel Nine panel and was asked similar questions to Johns. He refused to step in and save the Blues.
If Johns is feeling “sick” after watching the Blues lose another series, I would love to know Gus’ true opinion.
Blatchy’s Blues are bleeding. The state is embarrassed. Players’ confidence has been shot.
Eleven Queensland series wins from the last 12 attempts. One NSW series in over the last 12 years.
It’s time to answer the call, Gus.
Max is on Twitter: @MaxMckinney
Clyde
Guest
Arthur Beetson has a 58% winning record, third highest for QLD origin coaches, after Mal & Kevvie, both 66%.
Gary
Guest
These comments drive me crazy... arghh! I'm a passionate blues supporter and absolutely agree that the Qld squad has been choc full of champions for the last 12 years. But what everyone seems to overlook is that half these blokes were cultivated over time by a Qld system- headed by the likes of Bellamy, Bennett, Meninga and 14th Man Alfie. They just identify talent and nurture it better than NSW. The likes of Slater, Thurston, Lockyer, Morgan, Cronk and Smith as brilliant as they've been probably would have struggled to get a run in SOO as early in their careers if they were all from NSW. Further, if they did get a run and weren't instantly successful they would've got dropped! The NSW talent identification and selections have been very poor for a long time. This year it looked better but I still couldn't understand why we left Bird on the bench and didn't play him as a starting half? I couldn't understand why we selected wade graham who is an 80 minute backrower and asked him to play as an impact bench forward. Why couldn't we go with somebody like Nathan Brown? Nor could I explain what Paul Vaughn needed to do to win a spot over Woods who has never lived up to the hype. Maloney was outstanding when playing at 7 last year and running the show. This year he looked like he was letting Pearce call the shots and as a result was far less effective. Pearce has had enough chances surely?? What's doing? Why do we keep selecting Captains who aren't playmakers? Why did NSW transform into a totally inept football team at half time in G2?? It seemed like they didn't want too win... Oh man oh man ! No no no no no
db
Guest
The cycle isn't usually this long.
TheDeathCult
Guest
Yep, strange that Toovey hasn't been mentioned. Out of sight out of mind maybe? Would command respect as someone who always put his body on the line despite his diminutive size. I'd love to hear his thoughts on a couple of NSW's forwards games from the other night. And we all know the passion he has in the coaches box or press conference. No doubt he'd bring that to the origin arena. Perhaps with some well picked assistants...
matth
Guest
The other option for mine would be Toovey. I can't believe he doesn't get a mention. Did a pretty good job at Manly and if any big forward doesn't want to measure up in the tough stuff, then he can just show them a picture of his face after most origin games to show what manning up is.
matth
Guest
Try having a look at what the Walker boys have done as co-coaches with Ipswich in the Brisbane comp. They won the premiership in 2016 and beat the NSWRL cup holders as well. And they were playing a high speed, high number of passes, all kicks a contest for possession game. It was a revelation. Whether it would work at the NRL level and how long would it be until the opposition coaches developed a method to nullify it is another matter.
maximus182
Roar Guru
Have to agree Terry. I thought Hayne was poor game 2, and he failed to have the injection from centre in game 3. I'd like to see him or Dugan shift to fullback, as unfortunately Tedesco didn't have the impact many thought he would. Pearce won't be back, and they missed a player like Josh Reynolds intensity and enthusiasm. I don't care if he's playing shithouse at club level, even as a no. 17 he offers more than 1/3 of the Blues did on Wednesday night. (Realise your talking about A. Reynolds for half)
Terry Isagimo
Guest
Gould should be brought in to coach a NSW side that has a Reynolds/Maloney half combination and Hayne at fullback.
Agent11
Guest
Use a recorded message. Rabs just has to push the Gus WOW button.
GD66
Guest
Bellamy for me, but I'm sure like Gus he can do without the drama. Freddie has been mentioned a couple of times, I don't think that would be a bad move. But once it's settled, I'd like to see Johns come into camp as an assistant, step up and take the backline through what's required in defence, because that was one of his major strengths, and Spud Carroll in to show the pack what running forward looks like.
steveng
Roar Rookie
As Joey said 'I DON'T NEED THE PRESSURE' and Gould wouldn't be mad enough to take on the NSW rabble and mess, when he has the Panthers mess to contend with. The NSW Blues, don't have the people or the players to turn this asylum around and poor Loz had and has to do it 'when no one else wanted it'!!!
Nat
Roar Guru
Why would Gould take the gig? NSW best players have a culture to and of their own and Gould would do his own brand massive damage trying to change that. The one incentive is to do a Sheens (ala Aust coach with 5-6 Tigers in the team) and fill the roster with Penny boys for their own development. The idea of Joey taking the reins is just ridiculous. Their is no more passionate NSWelshman than Daley and his boys just didn't show up - for him, their mate or the state. Does Johns, with zero coaching experience command more respect than him? On staff as a tactician - possibly. Running water like Alfie - sure. Mal was the one who instilled the passion for this crop of Qlders but had an army of tacticians and positional specialists working with him.
joe
Guest
I'm not sure when AJL but we are both on same page in regards to the big talent gap between NSW & QLD & that is what my point about the article is about.You can bring back Gould,Jack Gibson (R.I.P) or whoever else but at the end of the day Origin is about talent & players who can adapt & make something happen in the blink of an eye. And bottom line is QLD has bucketloads of talent in key positions, NSW dosent. It will turn again at some point.Could be 2 years could be 5 years but its cyclical always has been.
Eden
Guest
Agree. If I was a coach I would focus only on fitness, defence and attitude. I'd get some footballing halves who can kick and bring back the creative lock. I'd let the team work on their own set plays for diversion for short sessions and use tag or touch footy for other sessions to get them finding defensive holes and dealing with retreating defences. I'd also encourage chip and chases, mid field bombs and short restarts. We'd probably lose but would be great to watch
maximus182
Roar Guru
For Joey, I think the would bring more 'tactical nous' than Gould, as his brother pointed out today in the Telegraph. But with Gould, he brings aura, presence, passion and great motivational know-how. At Origin level, you're coaching the elite, it's surely more just about man-management and mere guidance for how the team should play. There were some NSW players out there on Wednesday night who just didn't really seem up for the task. It's disappointing.
spruce moose
Guest
Nonsense. It's not like they will make Johns an unimmortal for losing a series. Lewis and Artie Beetson were pretty ordinary coaches when they had a crack. Neither of them have had their reputations tarnished. The man just may not want the added pressure in his life.
Hoy
Roar Guru
Gus has said it time and time again, and he is right... footy these days is about size and robotics rather than skill and league ability. So the great halves who can think and break down defences through free thought, are coached out, or simply not selected over players who run through plays by numbers... we run this play, into that play, into that play... You can see it a bit. A certain play is being run, and instead of seeing the hole to run into, the halves just keep the play running and pass instead. They are robotically trained to just run certain patterns.
Hoy
Roar Guru
That would be a thinking point for me... the poisoned chalice, but in regards to Joey, I would be careful about his mental health... It is a bit of pressure and expectation that maybe he doesn't want/need. Mentally, Joey at the moment is pretty relaxed, with FIFO coaching roles with a variety of clubs/players. For someone with known mental illness, he simply might not want that, and he has stated twice he doesn't want that pressure in his life... I think it is a bit much for Fatty to keep pressuring him into it, knowing what we all know. That's just me. As for Gould, is he still the coaching mastermind we think he is? He would certainly add some great tactical acumen to the NSW set up, no doubt. Full time coaching role with NSW? Maybe not anymore.
I ate pies
Guest
It doesn't matter who coaches, the Queensland players are just better than the NSW players. NSW may as well just wait until they all retire. I for one would welcome Gus as NSW coach, just so we can get him off our tele for a couple of matches.
col in paradise
Guest
Agree..and Queensland had not only some greats over the years - Langer , Thurston, Cronk at Half back...they had depth and back up and options...such as Murray, Oliphant, Green, Lam and Prince etc and now still have a lot of depth..my question is where the hell are the good NSW halves these days... . okay back in the 80's and 90's we had heaps..Raudonikis Sterling and Mortimer competing against each other 19080-83 then Sterlo and Mortimer with a young Hasler in the mix till the end of the 90's..and others at club level..then Stuart..followed by Johns and Kimmorley...then nothing !!!! Adam Reynolds probably the only true one around..so why give him another crack - Christ Pearce has been given heaps...Reynolds gets one game in 2016....okay injured but at least he can kick and direct a team around the paddock...so whats going on at the club level..the roots..where has the development gone wrong in NSW..I reckon its the over focus on getting big sized players across the field...in NSW its about size not brains and skill....