Phil Gould often makes me think of that famous (mis)quote from Mark Twain about dads.
Given the great American writer didn’t actually pen it, I’ll just give the version with which I’m most familiar.
When I was seven, I thought my father knew everything.
When I was 14, my father was the most ignorant man I knew.
When I was 21, I was amazed at how much my father had learnt in seven years.
My first introduction to Gould was as NSW coach in the early ’90s when the Blues were in something of a golden period, earning him legendary status in my eyes.
That he was one of the faces of the ARL during the Super League war only served to grow my love and respect for the man, because Newcastle was a particularly brutal battleground, and my mates and I had pretty firm opinions regarding where Rupert Murdoch and his manufactured competition could go (as kids in Year 5 are wont to do).
Top it off with his weekly segment on The Footy Show, ‘The Gould, the bad and the ugly’ – which was a blunt, no-holds-barred minute of pure Gus – and I came to see him as perhaps the wisest man in rugby league.
Phil Gould talks tactics with Andrew Johns in NSW Origin camp in 2004. (AAP Image/Tony Phillips)
I couldn’t say that there was a distinct moment when that changed, but I suspect my shift in opinion came about as a result of familiarity breeding contempt.
As his presence on air with Channel Nine went from sparing bits of colour commentary to twice-weekly calling of entire games, his schtick grew thin.
If I may quote from Gould’s Wikipedia entry, under the segment ‘Football commentator’:
“Many of his repetitious commentary catchphrases are used to criticise refereeing decisions: they include ‘dear oh dear oh dear’, ‘no no no no no’, ‘that’s ridiculous, that is ridiculous’ and ‘modern day gladiators’. Phil is renowned for repeating his point over and over again, e.g. ‘that’s a try, that’s a try, that’s a try, that’s a try, that’s a try.’”
Honestly, I kind of like the quintuple negative, which became the dissenting rugby league equivalent Mark Holden’s “touchdown” on Australian Idol – “Is he going to say it? He’s going to say it!”
But the constant repetition of bloody everything else and Gus’ inability to let go of a play that happened ten minutes ago became grating.
As did his myopia toward the Sydney Roosters and the Maroons – we get it, you’re best mates with Nick Politis and Queensland are heaps better at footy than the Blues, but maybe try occasionally singing a different tune when those teams play?
By the time the noughties ticked over into whatever we’re calling this decade – the teenies? – I was convinced that Gus had joined the band of over-the-hill former players and coaches whose opinions had ceased to be relevant.
Then, in 2011, he took that fateful call from the Panthers.
Phil Gould speaks alongside Peter Wallace in his head honcho role at the Panthers. (Photo: Tony Feder/Getty Images)
The club where he had etched his name into legend as both captain – in just his second full game of first grade, no less – and maiden premiership-winning coach was in trouble.
Like, big trouble.
So Gould headed to Penrith to take up the newly created role of general manager of rugby league.
I won’t rehash the last eight or so years at the foot of the mountains – although I will note that in 2017, Gould described talk of his feted five-year plan as being “media gibberish” – but a few points stand out.
Firstly, a bloke Gould sacked in 2015 is back in charge of first grade – on significantly more money – three years later.
Depending on whether you believe Nine Media or News Limited, Gus is either still mates with Ivan Cleary, or the two don’t even talk. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle.
But having Cleary back in charge so soon after Gus gave him the boot is a black eye to the GM, one which undoubtedly contributed to his decision to leave.
Secondly, the first-grade side hasn’t so much as made a grand final. Winning a comp is the ultimate metric of success for a team and, on that count, you could say Gus’ time has been a failure.
Phil Gould addresses Penrith’s reserve grade outfit after their triumph in the 2017 State Championship. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Except that Gould hasn’t been the general manager of a team, he’s been running an entire organisation – and that brings me to the third and most important takeaway from the last eight years in Penrith.
The Panthers have gone from being a basket case to one of the best-run and well-resourced clubs in the country.
Between what’s on the record and Gould’s own account – taken from this week’s Six Tackles with Gus podcast – his achievements as unofficial boss include securing a $10 million loan from James Packer to ensure financial solvency at a critical time, opening a $22 million training facility, and growing the club’s full-time staff from 11 to “about 56”.
Then there’s what’s on the horizon for the Panthers group, which includes a 350-apartment aged-care facility and having secured $24 million in government funding to build an accommodation and conference centre.
Gould deflects credit for this progress to the team of people working with him at Panthers – and he’s right to do so, because no one man can get all that boxed off.
But without one man in particular, none of it would have been done.
While he is still a magnet for controversy and criticism, Gould’s nous, drive and list of contacts have been central to taking a club that could barely crawl and teaching them how to walk – and now run.
So whether you believe it as the reason he’s leaving or not, Gus has the Panthers in a position of such strength that his position should be redundant – with decent management, Penrith are set to continue as a powerhouse club for years to come.
I’m sure, like all dads, Gus will continue to be a phone call away for Penrith, always there to offer sage advice – and no one will be prouder when they next bring home the Provan-Summons trophy.
But it’s time for the club to show they can make it on their own. And for that, Phil Gould can hold his head high.
Well done, Gus. It’s amazing how much you’ve learnt in eight years.
Simoc
Guest
So where's the bit about Gould being head hunted by another club to put into place what he has done at Penrith. Most of the headlines stuff is just filling up news space by lazy writers. Gould has always been reasonably predictable and goes up and down in performance as mood swings. Sometimes or often on TV he gets repetitious and boring but they have enough personnel to even out the lows. Like Eddie McGuire loves AFL, media and Collingwood, Gus loves the league game and does his best to promote it where he can.
Albo
Roar Rookie
As a loyal Panthers fan since they entered the comp in 1967, I have rather complex love / hate feelings for Gus Gould. I love the fact that Gus was a skilful footballer and our youngest ever captain in his early playing days. I love the fact that he returned to the Panthers to coach our team to its first premiership in 1991. And I love the fact that he has been the Blues most successful Origin coach. And there is no greater ambassador for the game of rugby league in our media channels even when he might be overly negative of aspect of our game. I love that he had every intention to rebuild the Club when he returned in 2011 and he delivered plenty of good facilities and pathways for future success. Some believe he even saved the Club from financial ruin ? I am not so sure of that one ? On the other hand, I hate his involvement in the early 90's disintegration of the champion Panthers team, that saw Panther home grown legends Greg Alexander & Mark Geyer leave the Club and even the country. And how he took pockets of cash from the ARL along with our best players Fittler & Sing over to the Roosters during the Super League war. Or when he came back for round two of running the show, how he got rid of star players Lewis, Graham, Jennings & Gordon, in the rebuild plans. All who subsequently won premierships with other Clubs. Then spent millions then on some new saviours like Moylan & Cartwright, who were gone by the next year and the search went on again. Or the millions he has seen the Club lumbered with paying off a bunch of coaches he appointed over the past few years. And the bad decisions have kept coming to this season.If only the Panthers had someone like Corey Harawirra -Naera or Tyrone Peachey on their right edge , they might have beaten Souths on Friday night ? Instead the bloke responsible for recruitment and the roster let them both go this year. And yet he re-signed players that have been known duffers for years. Just how long will the Panthers persist with the likes of Mansour's error filled performances ? That's three weeks straight his handling errors and positional play have given up opposition tries and therefore greatly contributed to those past three losses. Anyway, that is my love / hate feelings for Gus. He should be lauded for plenty of good things he has done for our game, but he is far from perfect and has made plenty of mistakes whilst always being very well compensated irrespective of the results he has delivered.
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
Do you think that the board should have gone with Gus' choice for the next coach i.e Bennett and not Cleary? I think Gus was right
Paul
Roar Guru
hi Souvalis, there's a huge difference between making the finals, as Penrith have done for some years and being genuine contenders. My Dragons are anther example of exactly the same thing - they lack that X factor which will allow them to get to the big show and win it. In the case of the Dragons, I think that's largely down to the coach, rather than the cattle. In Penrith's case, there's also the Gould factor to consider. Well run Clubs no doubt have scandals but they seem to handle these extraordinarily well. The issues with the tapes seemed to have been handled through the media, with Panthers officials appearing to know nothing about the issue till it the press. From then on, it appeared to be a knee jerk series of actions to manage the fallout. I'm happy to be corrected but again, that's the impression I gained as an outsider with limited information I think we may have to wait a tad longer to see just how much "pushing" was happening when Gould departed. The impression I got from reading pieces in NRL.com was he wanted to stay a little longer, but the Board/CEO wanted him gone quickly. I'm also thinking time will tell whether he was offered the chance of an honourable departure, or an ignominious sacking. The latter would not have been fair, because he has done lots of good things for the Panthers.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Actually, coaching and player retention was his job. His job was General Manager of Football Operations
Jonestown PA
Guest
Twain was pretty good for a no BS quote....my favourite is .. “If voting actually made a difference, they wouldn’t allow us to do it”. 100 years on , it’s probably never been more relevant.
Insider
Roar Rookie
Up until Ivan’s appointment yes, keep ya shirt on mate not attacking you
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Hi Paul, No doubt Gus has had influence on roster and he’s got a very good one now as he has had for the last 6 or 7 years theyve consecutively played finals football..that’s not positive ? As for the tapes the players involved were immediately stood down, one has since left..what else do you think he should have done ? When tensions became too great between him and the directors,rather than stick around to pick up the pay checks he walked..So,I can’t find fault with him based on what you’ve charged him with.. Dont care for his likeability or character, but I wouldn’t complain if he was put in charge of my clubs football operations..
jamesb
Roar Guru
Good article. Many fans are not aware of what Gould has done off the field. The only thing you can do is draw a comparison of Penrith in 2011 to today. And if Penrith have become a more stable club since 2011, then Gould deserves credit. To say that Gould failed because he didn’t win a premiership in the last 8 years is way too simplistic. And another thing, Penrith have made Bathurst as their home away from home.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
You think Gus has gone over Ivan’s head with on field structures and team selections this year ? Yeah, let’s pay Ivan zillions to be Gus ‘ lap dog..Goodness..what a great idea..
Insider
Roar Rookie
Anyone that believes a strong personality like Gus doesn’t influence playing roster or direction as far as team structures is concerned is deluded
Paul
Roar Guru
hi Souvalis, I'm sorry if you thought I was blaming Gould for Cleary's appointment, when I don't know what involvement he had in Cleary's coming to Penrith, other than the meeting he had with him when Cleary was Wests coach. Gould has had an enormous say in which players stay or leave the Club over the years and this must have had an impact on how the Panthers have gone as a team. My point about the tapes was all about how he handled the situation - the fact that he either didn't know about it or knew about it and did little, is another issue. IMO, Gould handled this whole issue very poorly. As for the footy team, I agree that's largely down to Cleary but as Joe points out, there has been huge tension between the 2 key members of the football operations since Cleary came back. I've read several times about "Panthers players walking in egg shells". If that's the case, he has to shoulder some of the blame.
perry cox
Roar Guru
One of your finest Joe. Spot on.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
I don’t know how you can blame him for the ‘questionable coach’ when we’re lead to believe Gus didn’t want him near the joint,the 2 and 5 record, again he’s had zero influence on any team matters according to reports and I believe that..could you honestly see Gus approving of 6 captains and relieving Jimmy of it in favor of Tamou ? Flip flopping the halves and centers from left to right and then back again. The sex tapes ? Gus’ fault ? Well which Rooster official needs to be sacked over Napa’s ?
Insider
Roar Rookie
Paul, your last paragraph sums up I think exactly what he has brought to club. Penriths on field success is a clear indicator his coaching days are well behind him
Paul
Roar Guru
Your very good article has left me confused Joe. What's the metric for success in Gould's case? First and foremost, I assume he was hired to establish a working plan for the long term financial viability of the football club. Based on your piece, he seems to have killed this. Was ANY part of his role to do with the actual day-to-day operations of the team and if so, when did this happen? Based on results, especially how the team is travelling at present, IMO he's left the place in a horrible state. Ignore the 2 & 5 record, the questionable coach in charge and focus on things like those videos that were circulating. This type of thing can destroy a Club very quickly unless managed well and it doesn't seem Gould as GM, did a very good job of that. I think your Gould timeline from being a little taker to now is probably spot on. He's morphed from being a highly knowledgeable member of the NRL fraternity, to a highly opinionated member with strong business connections and a good ability to get things done in support of Clubs
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Never heard that father quote before - very funny. And good article.
Insider
Roar Rookie
Gus should have focused on his GM role and stayed out of anything to do with the coaching and player retention. It’s no coincidence that since taking up his role at Penrith off field they have grown, as for his love affair with easts this also extends to a few ch9 media personalities I won’t name them because we all ready know who they are, don’t have a problem with his questioning of the NRL or refs, they need to be accountable and no one else holds them not like Gus does
Adam
Roar Guru
There's only one panther that needs to start making it without their dad. This is the NRL not park footy