Fear is rife among the Dragons faithful after Phil Gould was appointed to oversee the club’s internal review, with many concerned his findings will recommend a continuation of trade or Anthony Griffin.
But confidence is high internally the supremo can impart his methods for a better future, thus finally delivering the joint venture long-craved success, stability, and an overdue and unfinished long-term vision best remembered for producing easy access to premium flavoured milk.
The combination of Gould and the Dragons is already piquing the rugby league world’s curiosity, with one question prominent: Can he resuscitate the Red V with a short-term strategy that finishes sometime within the next two Olympic cycles?
News broke this week of the Dragons’ SOS to the Channel Nine pundit after the club’s final round win over Titans, with administrators desperate to launch an enquiry firstly to learn how the hell they won a game of footy.
Paul Vaughan of the Dragons. (AAP Image/Darren England)
Gould was identified as the perfect choice for a root-and-branch audit of operations, somewhat for a strong record in rugby league administration, but mainly for his penchant for sacking coaches like it’s an involuntary facial tic.
The one-time Panthers boss agreed to fill the brief for no charge, citing his many affinities with St George Illawarra; his strong relationship with coach Paul McGregor, and the Dragons’ qualities as a heartland organisation that is trigger-happy on overshot contract extensions.
While unconfirmed, it is believed Gould will be given a mandate to scrutinise critical executive decisions made by the business, such as its neglect of juniors and grassroots facilities, and why Choc Mundine didn’t give it off in the ’99 grand final.
A cost-to-benefit analysis will also be conducted on the club’s relationship with the Illawarra, with bookkeepers desperate to subject the region to a greater level of pillaging for a reduced amount of gratitude.
While Gould’s appointment has lead to many predictable jokes about his famous “five year plan” from his time at Penrith, it is commonly overlooked this vision was never spruiked with the promise of a premiership.
The former coach’s blueprint was only to overhaul the club’s juniors and financial position, both which he achieved with aplomb by offloading all the club’s favourite sons until the only wage bill remaining was his and whichever three coaches the club was simultaneously paying at the time.
So what recommendations is Gould likely to propose? And can they guarantee the Dragons’ long-term security, possibly keeping the brand in good health until at least 2021?
Whispers suggest his first point of business will be the future of McGregor, with tabloid experts suggesting it is time for the organisation to change tact from hiring former greats in exchange for an outsider, such as former Roosters Craig Fitzgibbon or Jason Ryles.
However, McGregor’s position is believed to be under no threat whatsoever, as Gould only historically sacks coaches on the fringe of the top four.
This stance has even enjoyed public support from club powerbrokers who have guaranteed they will always “keep their coach for the right reasons”, which is because they can’t afford the payout.
The playing roster will also be under fierce scrutiny after questions were posed of the players focus, an accusation denied internally despite Corey Norman playing the final ten minutes on the Gold Coast in a pair of skinny jeans and a disco whistle.
Ben Hunt’s $1.2 million contract will also be combed in fine detail to ensure value for money, with Gould sure to fastidiously dissect the terms of his deal in the hope it permits them to poach his dad.
Ben Hunt of the Dragons celebrates with Zac Lomax after scoring. (AAP Image/Craig Golding)
Elsewhere, the Nine commentator will put the recruitment department under the microscope, mainly to see if it has room to fit Reagan Campbell-Gillard on a seven year deal.
While this is considered clinically insane elsewhere, seven years would provide ample time to offer Campbell-Gillard another additional seven years, by which time the game will have been killed by doctors and lawyers anyway.
Nevertheless, interest is building in what Gould’s findings will present. Despite only just beginning in earnest, many are already tipping a raft of radical recommendations, some even plausible.
Whatever occurs, the club has pledged only a small excerpt of the findings will be revealed to the public. This is believed to be the 365-page chapter blaming the whole of 2019 on Dean Young and Ben Hornby.
Soda
Roar Rookie
He truly is a great man then.
Greg
Roar Pro
he said days ago he was doing it for free, as mentioned in the article... "The one-time Panthers boss agreed to fill the brief for no charge"
Soda
Roar Rookie
By paying for Gould to come in to review everything but McGregor. Unless Gus is doing it for free, as a kindness or something? I don't think so for some reason. I would think getting someone like Gus to come in is not a cheap endeavour.
Greg
Roar Pro
How have they prolonged the financial burden? Or even the pain for that matter assuming a new coach were to be appointed before the 2020 preseason begins?
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Again, it is not a review on Mary.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
My missus wasn’t happy with my performance, so rather than get professional help, I rang a mate to talk her around and it costs me nothing. I’m convinced, he’s convinced, but she ain’t.
Pedro the Saint
Roar Rookie
You just have to sit back and have a laugh sometimes. The satirical piece above should be published mainstream as it's nearly as funny as the real deal at Saints. No.1 Gus, I dont care who commissioned him for a review as i don't rate his so called footy brain. He's a media sensationalist these days - that's all. No.2 Anyone with any football smarts that's been involved on the inside of a footy club knows that off field and off season drama + key injured play makers + substandard coach = disaster. I can name 6 clubs off the top that this has happened to in the last 10 seasons. Saints Should have booted JDB from the start, Widdop was one of the best 5/8's last year yet he was picked as the starting FB (Mary emulating Bennett as the coach of GB). Picks and sticks with wingers making the same defensive reads! . . . Recruitment - Club recruits rejects instead of promoting juniors. Club lets go of juniors that are going gang busters at other clubs!!!! - and this has been going on since the Bennett days.
Fyb
Roar Rookie
Very funny. Well done
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Good read. Funny stuff Dane... the Dragons. Your words also made me laugh. ;-) DON'T read that DPS! :laughing:
KenW
Guest
The makeup of the roster isn't such a concern from my perspective - it's a decent squad, it's just not being managed well. It's true that they probably overly desperate for a high-class halfback and settled on the 'oh so close to being top-line' Hunt. The others you mentioned are defendable signings, Norman is a value deal with the Eels picking up some of the tab. Sims has got most of the errors out of his game and has become a good bench forward. Pearson & Maranta were signed as cheapie squad fillers, with Pearson actually playing a useful role this year. Hopefully Maranta never gets a run though! Graham was signed as the old hardhead to complement the rep-studded pack and promising youngsters. It hasn't worked out but, in terms of roster planning, it's a solid plan. I'd also argue the idea that the local juniors aren't getting a run. Half the team are local juniors that Mary has given debuts to, guys like Aitken, Lomax, Leilua, Lawrie, Robson, Saab, Sailor, Field, Dufty, Ford, Host + more I'm sure. Both the Sims boys he brought back were local juniors as well as an aside. All that said, Mary's management of the squad is a problem. His chopping & changing of selections, while seemingly having some other players protected regardless of performance is a killer. His inability over the years to get them to put together a consistent year is seemingly also a constant.
Larry1950
Guest
Yes John, I agree about the Cowboys because I think the clean out at the Broncos was due in response to that long run of failed premiership tilts. Probably harsh on Kahu who always aimed up but for a run of bad injuries, wasn't sad to lose McGuire & he seems to have gone more rogue at NQ. Titans are similar, other than Arrow they haven't aimed up, Wallace & Taylor aren't value for the money they're on. Guess the next cab off the rank for dud buys from the Broncos will be Souths, Allan was only a junior so can't tell although I'd have preferred to keep him as a fullback and trade out Boyd, happy to get rid of Roberts who was high maintenance & S'ua failed to live up to his early hype. Back to the dragons, how did Euan Aiken slip backwards so much this season, he was in contention as a NSW centre not long back. Never rated Lafai even before they got him, can't feed his wingers.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
No, it was never funny. What was funny was how Mundine was dropped cold like a sack of overweight spuds a meter out from the line by a Neville Nobody.
Randy
Roar Rookie
Mary asking his mate Gould to come and tell everyone that he is doing a fine job and the club is on the right track. How Mary is still a first grade coach is one of the great mysteries of Rugby League.
Paul
Roar Guru
Given Gould's dinosaur approach to the game, he'll probably suggest Mary should "bring back the biff" and accept all accolades for winning the Club's first wooden spoon nest year. No doubt Gould will take all the credit if things improve in Dragonland (which I doubt), but will probably say the Dragons didn't follow his review recommendations when the team crashes & burns in 2020.
John
Guest
You could make a similar list with Cowboys and their collection of Bronco's discards, for similar results.
Larry1950
Guest
I'll ignore the comedic tone of the article in favour of some thoughtful analysis. As a Broncos fan but league tragic, I don't get how long-established clubs like the dragons can get things so wrong by resorting to a quickfix in pursuit of a premiership. A few examples, they seem intent on signing ex-Broncos despite my mob going through a 12 year premiership drought, do they think because it worked once with Bennett & Boyd then it's sure to work again. > Ben Hunt - journeyman halfback who could never really lock down the role at the Broncos, signed long term on $1M a season? > Corey Norman - never really locked down a specific position, punted by the Broncos after they realised his shortcomings, let go by the Eels after limited success & seen as an X factor? > Korbin Sims - ordinary forward, mistake prone & treated as a speed bump by his big brother in 2018, where was the upside in signing a member of a pack your own mob beat by 30 in a final a year ago? > Jonas Pearson - Intrust Cup level winger unable to get a spot in the underperforming Broncos team for 4-5 years, did they get him for nothing? > Lachlan Maranta - accept he hasn't featured but not offered a spot at the Broncos a few years back so unsuccessfully tried rugby union & yet got into the dragons roster. They buy James Graham at the end of his career when he is all but cooked & looks past it yet I see younger guys like Jai Field continually ignored or given token game time & wonder what message that gives your homegrown players.
John
Guest
Gould's report could be titled "Review on everything but the Elephant".
kk
Roar Pro
V'landy's first job. Appoint the straight thinking Dane Eldridge to the Judiciary. Rest easy Dane. Gus Gould announced he is proffering his services free as a favour to old mate Mary McGregor. We all know you get nuffin' for nuffin'. To soften further human suffering and paranoia each conspirator should be gifted a pair of Queeg ball bearings. They did wonders for Humphrey. In fact they could become a must have in every Dragon's supporters kit until the new coach arrives.
Nat
Roar Guru
Poor old Mary has made a rod for his back by bringing in Gus. You don't think Gould has one eye on the Panthers coffers by introducing Griffin to the Saints outfit? Anthony signs a release and finds himself 2nd in line to a floundering Mary.
Mixfijoe
Guest
filled with a lot fiction but funny..