{"id":699666,"date":"2026-05-28T08:45:22","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T08:45:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/699666\/"},"modified":"2026-05-28T08:45:22","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T08:45:22","slug":"why-gould-wouldnt-talk-about-the-only-thing-everyone-is-talking-about","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/699666\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Gould wouldn\u2019t talk about the only thing everyone is talking about"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Phil Gould used to drive the news cycle with his opinions. Now he generates headlines when he doesn\u2019t share them.<\/p>\n

The biggest talking point stemming from the opening State of Origin encounter was the only one Gould wasn\u2019t prepared to broach. NSW\u2019s most successful coach, during a post-game show analysing the biggest comeback win in interstate history, wouldn\u2019t be drawn on the controversial Kalyn Ponga send-off.<\/p>\n

The Blues\u2019 thrilling 22-20 victory<\/a> is unlikely to have transpired if not for Ponga\u2019s dismissal<\/a>. The Queensland fullback was marched in the 58th minute for a shoulder charge on Tolu Koula that prematurely ended both their evenings.<\/p>\n

So why wouldn\u2019t \u201cGus\u201d weigh in on the controversy?<\/p>\n

Sources not authorised to speak publicly have told this masthead that Gould didn\u2019t feel Ponga\u2019s actions warranted a send-off. However, given his dual roles in the game – as the general manager of football at Canterbury and as a commentator at Nine, publisher of this masthead, when the network is in broadcast negotiations with the NRL – Gould felt it would bring pressure on those organisations at a delicate time.<\/p>\n

\"BulldogsBulldogs general manager Phil Gould.Nick Moir<\/p>\n

By saying nothing he said everything, making his point without placing his employers into an invidious position.<\/p>\n

When contacted by this masthead, Gould declined to comment, but indicated that his position shouldn\u2019t be difficult to work out.<\/p>\n

Regardless, it made for compelling television on the post-game show after an Origin match for the ages. The other panellists weighed into the debate along state lines: Maroons legend Darren Lockyer described referee Ashley Klein\u2019s decision as \u201cperplexing\u201d, while Blues counterpart Brad Fittler felt the onus was on the defender to provide a duty of care to the ball-carrier.<\/p>\n

Then host James Bracey turned to Gould for his thoughts.<\/p>\n

Related Article\"NSW<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cGus, you\u2019re heavily involved in clubland as well, players, do they see it like that?\u201d Bracey asked. \u201cThat they have the responsibility as defenders to look after whoever they are tackling?\u201d<\/p>\n

Gould paused. The week before he had been on a media charm offensive, stepping up to defend the misfiring Bulldogs after a five-game losing streak. It began with an appearance on 100% Footy, continued on his Six Tackles with Gus podcast and culminated in a wide-ranging 90-minute chat with James Graham on The Bye Round podcast.<\/p>\n

But regarding Ponga\u2019s dismissal, Gould was staying mum.<\/p>\n

\u201cJames, I suggest you ask someone else, rather than me, if you don\u2019t mind,\u201d Gould replied. \u201cI\u2019d like you to keep your job.\u201d<\/p>\n

The exchange quickly went viral on social media.<\/p>\n

Gould has put plenty of noses out of joint with his opinions over the years, whether it be his criticism of the modern game or for supposedly publicly courting Wests Tigers recruit Lachlan Galvin. The NRL even implemented what many in rugby league have branded the \u201cGus Rule\u201d, an anti-tampering crackdown that prevents club officials or player agents from publicly courting players under contract.<\/p>\n

While Gould didn\u2019t weigh into the latest issue, rarely has someone said so much by saying so little.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

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