Gus gave Dragons pep talk
By Paul Kent
September 27, 2005
SYDNEY Roosters coaching director Phil Gould is likely to save his job despite revelations he gave the St George Illawarra players a pep talk before last Saturday's grand final eliminator.
Roosters chairman Nick Politis is currently holidaying and said he would speak to Gould once he returns.
However, yesterday he seemed non-plussed at Gould's connection to the Dragons, which some have claimed to be a traitorous action.
Gould had dinner with the Dragons players last Thursday night and helped with their preparation for Saturday night's loss to Wests Tigers.
The latest revelation comes after league commentator Ray Hadley revealed on 2GB on Sunday that Gould and head coach Ricky Stuart were no longer communicating and that Stuart had given the club a "him or me" ultimatum.
While that is unlikely to occur, Gould's involvement with the Dragons could not have come at a worse time.
However, Politis said it was unlikely to affect Gould's future at the club.
"When I get back we will talk about it but I don't think it is a major issue," Politis said.
"[Hurricane] Katrina hasn't hit us this week. Life's too short. Life goes on."
Stuart was unavailable for comment yesterday.
Politis said he believed much of the hysteria revolved around the ongoing battle between Hadley and Gould, who have not spoken for years.
"There are a lot of agendas going around, people want to get square," Politis said.
Instead, the chairman said, it was in Gould's personality to help people.
"Gus helps everybody," he said. "He stuck his nose in years ago and helped [St George Illawarra's Craig] Smith with the judiciary and finished up getting sued for defamation.
"He helped Souths when they marched and came back into the competition with the recruitment."
Dragons chief executive Peter Doust said he had no concerns with inviting Gould into the Dragons' camp even though he is a coaching director at the rival Roosters.
"Obviously it would have been a different perspective from my point of view if they had been playing in the semi-final series and been still alive," Doust said.
"But Gus is a professional and has a wealth of experience he can offer."
The Daily Telegraph
