I have heard numerous players and Ivan himself say that Gus didn't interfere with training and I believe them. I also believe that when a coach is struggling, Gus steps into help them. Hook and now Trent Barrett were clearly struggling at times and they need help.
It is quite fanciful to speculate that Gus wants to take over coaching. Do we really think that if he wanted to coach he would be unable to get a job? That he gets in by a back door method by becoming a general manager and taking control? It makes no sense whatsoever. There are so many teams who would give Gus an opportunity to coach, there would be a queue stretching around the block.
If he was a micromanaging control freak, it's a small world in league and everybody would know and nobody would agree to work with him. He has managed to remain employed for 40 years in administration and coaching. 40 years. Maybe he actually tries to help teams and that's why he keeps getting offers.
Barrett is probably grateful for the input, but Hook didn't want to be helped and as a leader, that is a major problem. Nobody, including Gus, who hired a completely inappropriate CEO in a frankly amateurish process, knows everything. You have to ask for help. Great leaders know when to let others take over and add value to the team. They know what they are good at and what they aren't. Ivan always credits Ciraldo for their impressive defence and that sounds about right. Cameron has obviously developed a pretty good formula for coaching defence.
Hook was the opposite. Ciraldo wanted to leave because he wasn't allowed to be involved fully. Hook didn't like Gus getting involved and really, more fool him. Gus has more experience and a better understanding of league than Hook will ever have. He should have embraced his input, learned everything he could and rode his coat tails to the grand final. Instead it ended in tears.
It's just my opinion, but I think he is trying to help Flanagan and Barrett and the media speculating about the poor treatment of Flanagan and implying Gould's doing the coaching are way off the mark. That Flanagan has struggled to cope with the mental side of the NRL, partly due to the burden of being Flanagan's son, is well documented. He gets in his own way. I think that is why Gus is trying to help him by letting to play without pressure in NSW Cup. Gus has shown great leadership in stepping forward and taking all the heat on the Flanagan situation and making the whole discussion (exhibit 1, this forum) about him. Barrett and Flanagan owe him a few beers.
