Gould: I'd come back - on my terms
Brad Walter
June 26, 2009 - 6:39AM
PHIL GOULD has launched a scathing attack on the game's administration and ruled out returning as Blues coach unless there are massive changes to the way NSW approaches State of Origin campaigns.
With Queensland having sealed a record fourth consecutive series win on Wednesday, there have been calls for Gould to replace Craig Bellamy in what would be his third stint as Blues coach.
But Origin's most successful coach - Gould won six of the eight series he was in charge - said Bellamy was not at fault for the Blues' recent woes and took aim at the management of the NSWRL and ARL, headed by Colin Love and Geoff Carr.
After being a central figure in the ARL's battle to stop News Ltd taking control of the code during the Super League war, Gould said he could not work for the current administration.
"Firstly, Craig Bellamy is not to blame for NSW's poor record in recent times. He is a fine coach," Gould said in response to speculation linking him with the job.
"Secondly, changing the coach will not solve the problems with the Blues. There has to be a complete change in the way NSW goes about its Origin campaign. Queensland does it so much better than NSW off the field and this is ultimately reflected in their on-field performances.
"As for any speculation regarding me returning to coaching, I am both flattered and humbled by the public support suggesting I could help NSW. Unfortunately, I could not see myself working for the ARL/NSWRL in its current state. I fought for the ARL and NSWRL in the Super League war and here I am 10 years later wondering who or what it was I fought for. To me, they have been a major disappointment."
Gould did not rule out the possibility of coaching again at club level but said he was happy in his work as a commentator with Channel Nine and Fairfax columnist. However, he was critical of sections of the media over their coverage of off-field issues and cited that as one of the reasons he would not want to return to coaching.
"In the highly unlikely event that I would consider coaching again, it would be far more likely to be at a club level, rather than the representative level," he said. "Even then, there would have to be massive changes, both administratively and culturally, in the way rugby league is run in this country - at all levels of the game.
"There would also have to be massive improvement in the relationships between players and the media; in particular the unfair scrutiny under which these young men are being forced to live their lives.
"As it is difficult to envisage these changes happening any time soon, I can't see any circumstances that would attract me to a return to coaching. I feel … fortunate, in retirement, to be commentating on rugby league … and that is where I see my future in the game continuing."
After repeating his criticism of the NSWRL on last night's episode of The Footy Show, Gould questioned why the Blues teams had gone into camp at Werribee in Victoria ahead of Origin I and on the Central Coast before Wednesday night's match.
"You tell me why we went to two remote locations to get the team ready … I'll give you the answer; because they are scared of the media and they are scared of interaction with the public - they are scared of someone taking a photo of someone doing something wrong," he said.
"They are so petrified of being in the public arena, whereas when I coached, we were in the public the whole time. We were drinking in the pubs, we were going out and coaching kids, we were taking sponsors to functions - but now they are petrified of that because of the relationship between the media and the players.
"You can't possibly be enjoying or understanding what Origin is about or forming a bond with your mates if you are living like greyhounds in a kennel."
