John Cartwright hit the nail on the head when he simultaneously stood up for Broncos coach Kevin Walters while also taking down Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould.
Walters has turned the Broncos around from also-rans to premiership contenders in the space of a few seasons and Cartwright, the former Panthers international forward and Gold Coast coach who now serves as a Broncos assistant, fired off a ripping broadside directed at the poor decision making of clubs that linger at the foot of the NRL ladder for extended periods.
Gould claimed recently in his guise as Channel Nine analyst that the Broncos couldn’t win the competition this year but Cartwright is having none of that, pointing to the quick rebirth of the club from the lowest of ebbs just a few short seasons ago when they received their first wooden spoon in club history.
When Anthony Seibold departed the Broncos in August of 2020, less than two years into the five-year contract he had signed, Brisbane looked close to rock bottom. From a win-loss percentage they almost certainly were as they occupied the last rung on the ladder.
An unproven coach at club level despite having success with Queensland in the Origin arena, Walters brought only modest improvement the following season, with seven wins far from anything to write home about.
The jury remained out on Walters and even a player or two openly questioned his chances of success at one of the biggest and most powerful clubs in the land. Then during what was a rebuild of sorts, Brisbane became a competitive outfit in 2022.
By Round 14, the Broncos sat equal third on the ladder, threatening to rise from a wooden spoon into a creditable appearance in the finals within two seasons.
I had predicted they would do so during the pre-season, feeling that there was a stack of talent at Walters’ disposal and that any sort of unity within the group and a common direction could see Brisbane be markedly improved.
They certainly were, yet lost five of their last six to miss the playoffs by a single game.
It was a little embarrassing really, after so much work done to rebuild a shattered club not too familiar or comfortable with being uncompetitive in September. No doubt it hurt, yet Walters went back to work and Brisbane hit the ground running in 2023.
Walters has grown ever more confident at the helm in 2023. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
They will not miss the finals this season and 15 wins from 20 matches, a whopping 504 points scored and a better defensive record than all bar the Panthers speak volumes about what Walters has achieved with his coaching staff.
And, he didn’t need a five, six or seven year plan to do it.
It was the defensive side of the game that brought about Cartwright returning serve. After Gould categorically dismissed the Broncos’ chances of winning the title, the 57-year-old former Panthers second-rower took umbrage.
In a classy, witty and pointed defence of Walters, Cartwright delivered a stern and deserved message to Gould, whether or not he was the only intended target. Something tells me he was.
“I have seen a lot of other teams out there that talk about rebuilds. You see a lot of other sides out there that talk about five year, six year, seven year plans and they are still running at the bottom of the table.”
Colloquially, Cartwright was suggesting two things. One, that Gould should stay in his lane, worry a little less about the Broncos and focus more on the rabble at Belmore that has gone backwards this season, despite adding some quality talent.
Secondly, Cartwright was suggesting that the man who consistently reminds us of his rather oracle-like opinion of himself and his importance in the game, should perhaps reflect on his penchant to place prophetic and inaccurate timelines on improvement.
Not one iota of Gould’s predictions for the Bulldogs has come to pass in 2023. The team is no better, coach Cameron Ciraldo is struggling, their defence is catastrophic and rumoured interest around every big-name player that comes on the market seems to suggest that he realises the Bulldogs need a whole lot more than what they have in stock right now.
Phil Gould has plenty of views but should he perhaps be more concerned with the form of his own club? (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
No doubt Walters would have been pleased with his assistants support and faith, evidence of the loyalty and unity he is attempting to build.
Walters said in a media conference that “we are worried about ourselves and I think Phil should be doing the same (with the Bulldogs)”.
Of course, Gould works in the media and is expected to offer opinions and provoke discussion and commentary for his employer. Yet after concerns raised earlier this season about potential conflicts of interest and the Canterbury board having held discussions with him, it appears an ability to read the rugby league room is escaping the 65-year-old.
The General Manger of Football at a struggling NRL club, a man well versed in trotting out year-defined rebuild plans and then writing off the chances of a club on the rise, is a very poor look.
Gould deserved to be told to stay in his lane and worry about his own backyard. Cartwright managed to do it well.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Especially in Blue & Gold. Even if he did originally come from the Gold Coast . Hosking bench , Hopgood in.. :laughing:
The Barry
Roar Guru
Johnson’s 33 at the end of the season. He’s got maybe two years left That probably lines up with Hanson being ready for first grade?
The Barry
Roar Guru
Where does he play though? Off the bench and filling in for Yeo three times a year or a star in Parra’s pack But yeah, it must hurt to see them line up in blue and gold
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Maybe right. What does Hanson see in the Warriors? The pathway couldn’t be more blocked than at the Warriors, in the halves. If he’s happy to play somewhere else, fair enough. Also, how can the Storm can keep players like Pezet? He’s a first grader.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Fair enough. Ahhh , Hopgood could have been in Penrith colours still. Another one they let get away.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Penrith won’t need a halfback - other than a couple of games a year - for the best part of the next decade I think the young players coming through know that. No surprise they’re looking elsewhere If you re-sign Luai, you can say that about the 6 as well
The Barry
Roar Guru
I meant our reserve grade side would win the NRL…!!! (If we’d signed everyone we’ve been linked to) Have a look at the NSW Cup GF teams for last year. The Dogs didn’t drop anyone back to reggies I went to that game. Pretty exciting. Panthers got away and Bulldogs pegged them back Very good panthers team. Luke and Hopgood were standouts
Panthers
Roar Rookie
I think they went close last season. When they drop players back end of year, they are a very good chance of winning NSW Cup.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Probably true for a lot of the time. Don’t think they’ve been too happy losing players like Shawn Blore , Hanson , Katoa & other that the Dolphins bought. Especially halves. Who do you use as halves in the future, if they’re bought from lower grades ? That’s showing in Penrith’s lower grades this season. Manly being at Blacktown hasn’t been good for Parramatta or Penrith. You could see it in Parramatta’s results, juniors for years.
The Barry
Roar Guru
If we’d signed every player that’s been linked to the Bulldogs our reserve grade side could win the comp…
The Barry
Roar Guru
I definitely don’t think it’s easy. As I wrote there’s been periods where the Panthers have maybe taken their juniors for granted, thinking they’d just come through. Even with a large nursery it still takes a lot of hard work… probably more But starting with a large nursery is a better position than not and even though they have clubs poaching at every level, they still typically get first pick
Panthers
Roar Rookie
I’m always worried, when there’s a headline about the Bulldogs buying a first grader from another club . I think I’m correct in being worried. :stoked:
Panthers
Roar Rookie
That’s true. Broncos don’t even really need to look far for the next big star. Years gone by, they just picked them out of anywhere around Queensland . Since the Cowboys, Titans , Storm & now Dolphins . They have to look a little harder. Still less competition for local players, than around Sydney. Plus most of the wider Brisbane area juniors would want to play for the Big Club. The Broncos . Which they do. Only problem the Broncos have had at all, is finding a halfback.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Penrith didn’t work on their juniors & pathways systems. There was always infighting between those who promoted their juniors clubs. Whether it was Minchinbury, St.Mary’s or wherever else ? Phil Gould sorted that out , to get the best players coming through that they could. They still have to compete in their own area with other clubs getting Penrith juniors at every level. Whether it’s South’s, Roosters, West’s, Parramatta, Manly , Dolphins , Cronulla or even the Warriors. ( Who bought another half , Hanson from Penrith’s Jersey Flegg team . They need another half / 5/8? Just a special mention :stoked: ) . So don’t think it’s that easy for them to produce top players, as they don’t buy them . They are also certainly down in the halves now as a club. As every club wants to buy them from Penrith.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Gus likes 5 year plans because it gives him 5 years of income.
The Barry
Roar Guru
That last sentence is probably the best response . Even as a Dogs fan he says dim sheet that annoys me… . I thought you were a Dolphins fan… :silly:
Rellum
Roar Guru
I, as you are aware Barry, are a Broncos supporter. I also think our defence is not consistent enough yet to win. I also think our attack is not yet consistent enough to win as well. I would rather Cartwright come out after a grand final win and give Gus a serve than before. Do our talking in the field. Gus is going to say dumb s#$t all the time. Ignore him
Don
Roar Rookie
The best part is, should the Broncos actually win the premiership, Gould will come out and say "I always said the Broncos would win the premiership this year." He does it all the time.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Fair call…
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
I was talking about his silly comments in general, TB. He seems to make quite deliberate silly comments on a regular basis, which are designed to stir the pot. The best example I guess is his thoughts on concussions and high shots in general Go back a decade or two and he was real value as an analyst, quick to spot issues and accurate in his observations. Nowadays he seems to often let his mouth do the talking without the brain engaging. That then means when he says something sensible, many miss it.