General Discussion Thread

[Goonji]

Gould doubles down on criticism of NRL in ‘stupid’ Panthers trainer debate
ByBillie Eder

August 6, 2025 — 3.40pm

Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould has doubled down on his criticism of the NRL after it fined the Panthers and banned trainer Corey Bocking, describing the punishment and coverage of the incident as “the biggest overreaction of all time”.

Speaking on his Six Tackles With Gus podcast on Wednesday, Gould said the whole saga was “even stupid to talk about” after NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo defended the punishments.

The Panthers were fined $50,000 and Bocking was handed a five-match ban after he ran in front of Titans goalkicker Jayden Campbell as he lined up a sideline conversion attempt on Saturday.

Abdo said people were entitled to their opinion, but officials “discussed and debated quite vigorously” how to deal with the incident after Gould called it “the greatest beat up I’ve ever seen in rugby league” on 100% Footy on Monday.

Panthers trainers have been involved in six separate incidents since 2021, and while the NRL reviews each incident individually, Abdo said it was important for the governing body to factor in those past indiscretions when taking action this time.

But Gould was steadfast on Wednesday, calling the incident “rubbish”.

“Young Campbell was able to restart his routine to try and kick the goal,” he said. “Now, if he had kicked the goal and Titans had won the game, do you think we’d be hearing about this again? Not in your life ... I think it’s such a ridiculous overreaction.”

Gould said he believed the incident was an “honest mistake” by the Penrith trainer.

“He got in the way, he didn’t realise it, he waved sorry and ran the other way,” Gould said.

“Honestly, all he [Campbell] had to do was reset himself and kick the ball. But all this rubbish now, the fans go off and then everyone reacts to it ... I find it honestly the biggest beat up of all time ... But the bottom line is they [trainers] don’t do it deliberately, and they’re not hurting anyone, and they’re not helping anyone.”

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/go...-panthers-trainer-debate-20250806-p5mkuj.html

Opinion
NRL 2025
Michael Chammas
Sports reporter

 

[Oldpanther86]

The attack on Penrith and their trainers on NRL 360 last night was disgusting and slanderous.
They went completely over the top and despite somebody saying that all clubs do the same things it was ’yea we know but this mob are arrogant and have been doing constantly’.
Penrith should look at taking legal action over some of the things they said.
Gordan Tallis keeps on with his $50000 well spent comments which are disgusting.

Bro messed up one of the most basic components of a highly competitive spectator sport worth millions or it was deliberate either way he's gotta wear the criticism.

 

[Oldpanther86]

Watch who you calling a bitch, bitch

My money's on chins.

 

[Bred not Bought]

Massive overreaction. I agree with Gould.

 

[BxTom]

Don't watch 360. Don't care about their rantings.

Ditto, meaningless drivel.

 

[ColdWetPanther]

Gould doubles down on criticism of NRL in ‘stupid’ Panthers trainer debate
ByBillie Eder

August 6, 2025 — 3.40pm

Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould has doubled down on his criticism of the NRL after it fined the Panthers and banned trainer Corey Bocking, describing the punishment and coverage of the incident as “the biggest overreaction of all time”.

Speaking on his Six Tackles With Gus podcast on Wednesday, Gould said the whole saga was “even stupid to talk about” after NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo defended the punishments.

The Panthers were fined $50,000 and Bocking was handed a five-match ban after he ran in front of Titans goalkicker Jayden Campbell as he lined up a sideline conversion attempt on Saturday.

Abdo said people were entitled to their opinion, but officials “discussed and debated quite vigorously” how to deal with the incident after Gould called it “the greatest beat up I’ve ever seen in rugby league” on 100% Footy on Monday.

Panthers trainers have been involved in six separate incidents since 2021, and while the NRL reviews each incident individually, Abdo said it was important for the governing body to factor in those past indiscretions when taking action this time.

But Gould was steadfast on Wednesday, calling the incident “rubbish”.

“Young Campbell was able to restart his routine to try and kick the goal,” he said. “Now, if he had kicked the goal and Titans had won the game, do you think we’d be hearing about this again? Not in your life ... I think it’s such a ridiculous overreaction.”

Gould said he believed the incident was an “honest mistake” by the Penrith trainer.

“He got in the way, he didn’t realise it, he waved sorry and ran the other way,” Gould said.

“Honestly, all he [Campbell] had to do was reset himself and kick the ball. But all this rubbish now, the fans go off and then everyone reacts to it ... I find it honestly the biggest beat up of all time ... But the bottom line is they [trainers] don’t do it deliberately, and they’re not hurting anyone, and they’re not helping anyone.”

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/go...-panthers-trainer-debate-20250806-p5mkuj.html

Opinion
NRL 2025
Michael Chammas
Sports reporter

There is a link in here to a SMH article that I think details the ‘6 incidents’ that Abdo references. Anyone able to see those and cut and paste into the chat?

I am loathe to actively extend this discussion, but I must admit I am curious.

 

[martielang]

I enjoy NRL360. Tallis is such a dumb merkin it's hilarious. I don't have much issue with any of the journos - we're all trying to make a living.

 

[soc123_au]

I enjoy NRL360. Tallis is such a dumb merkin it's hilarious. I don't have much issue with any of the journos - we're all trying to make a living.

Same, it's not popular opinion to enjoy it, but I'd say plenty say they don't watch to be edge lords. It's still on for a reason. Crawley annoys me, the rest have redeeming features, even the old drunk.

 

[Black Panther]

Why would we purposely f**k up/cheat at that time when we were already 2 points down, our trainers already under the microscope, ensuring a heavy fine was guaranteed? Makes no sense Gordie.

If you're going to cheat at least do it to win the game.

We have the Goat in our team, a 2 point field goal was always on the cards. A lot more pressure to do a short kickoff, regain the ball and then score a try and convert to win if Campbell kicks the goal.

 

[Oldpanther86]

My question is why the f**k was Elford directing the best half in the game to take the field goal. Is he a child?

 

[Abacus]

His dad would have kicked it. (Anyone have a gif of Preston's 2003 GF conversion?)