Gould quits Origin

[m0j0]

Not sure if this has been posted anywhere yet:

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8527

I'm quitting Origin: Gould
22:42 AEST Sat May 22 2004


Disillusioned NSW rugby league coach Phil Gould says he's quitting the sport at the end of the upcoming State of Origin campaign.

Gould, angered by phone sex scandal which has dogged his team in the past week, said he'll quit after the current series.

In his column in The Sun-Herald newspaper, Gould said he was "filthy" at his players.

Centre Mark Gasnier was kicked out of the team on Thursday for making an obscene phone call to a woman in the early hours of Wednesday morning.




The call was made from the mobile phone of winger Anthony Minichiello, who was expelled from the team on Friday for having the phone with him after players had been forbidden from using them.

Five other players were fined a total of $20,000 for misbehaviour.

"I am not a football coach any more and I don't want to be," Gould said.

"A group of my players have done the wrong thing and I'm filthy ... I cannot begin to tell you how much that hurts."

Gould said he refused to be treated like a fool by his players, who had failed to respect his orders.

"I can't remember a time in my coaching career when I have been more disappointed than I am right now.

"The events of the past week have been a gut-wrenching experience for me.

"This will definitely be my last season as NSW coach."

 

[m0j0]

Sorry about the typo in the heading...I can't edit it.

 

[Cammo]

I am no fan of Gould, but he was definitely let down by the players in this. He wanted an alcohol free camp and you can only think that none of this would have happened if he got his wish.

The players should be ashamed of themselves and it is quite obvious that some of them need to grow up (3 in particular).

 

[I Bleed Green]

Yep, I don't particularly like him either but he was lied to and betrayed.

I can't blame him.

 

[Unreal V]

The best protest a coach could make. Unfortunately it detracts from what State of origin is supposed to be about. Rather than making a protest he has a responsibility to help put things right with the game. No blame assigned here just the fact that he has a position of authority and respect and the code needs more people like him. Now is not the time to quit.

 

[KnightSmurf]

Can't say I really blame him. The have shown him nothing but disrespect -- both players and management alike.Whether you like Gus or not he has proven his worth at this level and should be respected for that.

The players need to take a good hard look at themselves and their behaviour.They play a sport for a career. I'd love to see the current days big stars survive like the greats used to ... work a full time job THEN play sport. Their too soft these days and think that they deserve to have everything given to them.

Time they grew up and acted like responsible ADULTS and not spoilt rotten kids.

 

[ibeme]

I can't blame him, but I wished he'd have gone on the front foot, and committed himself to cleaning things up. Instead he's laid down.

By throwing our hands in the air and saying "I give up," we're punishing ourselves for the actions of a few boof-heads. I love the game. It's part of what makes my weekends so good. I'm not about to deprive myself of it, and ruin my weekends because of what a few numbskulls did. They should be wearing the punishment, not anyone else.

 

[Fibroman]

Bat - ball - home.

 

[Penelope Pittstop]

I think the final straw was when reporters turned up on his doorstep. Gus is seeing this season out and who knows he may reconsider.

 

[*Sandy*]

I'm not a huge fan of Goulds. I have though enjoyed many wins that he has managed as coach with the panthers and the blues. If he wished for a no-alcohol ban then why did he select a various of pubs for them all to have a drinking session at when everyone else chose *not* to have an alcohol ban.

And why did he state that `no-one was going home until they all loved each other' which I have read in the Sunday Tele this morning.

Common sense would have been to stay at one pub. Enjoy a few drinks. Not stay out to 3 am moving from one pub to another.

Gould has been shown up and now he wants to quit. :roll:

He should have quit a long time ago in my opinion.

 

[*Sandy*]

Common sense would have been to stay at one pub. Enjoy a few drinks. Not stay out to 3 am moving from one pub to another.

I can't edit and I omitted from adding to this line: instead of drinking themselves into obliveration.

 

[greeneyed]

It would be the very best thing for rugby league if Gould resigns all positions related to rugby league and we never ever hear anything from him ever again.