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About Phil Gould

About Phil Gould

Phil Gould has seen the game of rugby league from every possible angle. He's been a junior player, lower grade player, first grade player, retired player, lower grade coach, first grade coach, representative coach, winning coach, losing coach, assistant coach and retired coach. He's worked with managers, administrators, directors, budgets, staff, sponsors, fans, salary caps, old players, young players, great players, good players and average players. He's worked as a rugby league expert and commentator on radio, television and Pay TV. He's been a columnist on rugby league for 17 years. Most of all he's a rugby league fanatic.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Marshall, Tigers rediscover their winning formulas

THE Wests Tigers were very impressive yesterday. With the aid of hindsight we probably should have seen it coming.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

A Rabbit out of the hat

Crikey, who would've believed that in round 19 of the competition we'd be mentioning the words "semi-finals" and "South Sydney Rabbitohs" in the same sentence?, writes Phil Gould.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Shame spurs Dogs to fetch points at last

FOOTBALLERS are motivated by many things when it comes to their weekend performance but I have found no greater incentive to produce a winning performance than that of embarrassment over past dismal efforts.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Bulldogs hit rock bottom

All teams entered round 18 having played 15 matches. A comparison with their positions on the ladder at this time last year makes for interesting reading.

Monday, July 7, 2008

What a yawn: Parra sleepwalk to defeat

With all the scientific training methods, gym work, skills sessions and video analyses that NRL teams use in the modern era, it's amazing how toughness, enthusiasm and desire still rank as the most significant factors in a team's winning performance.

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Let's level kids' playing field

I've been watching a lot of junior rugby league over the past two years and have come to the conclusion that we need to rethink the way we structure our junior league competitions.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

He's true blue

Phil Gould pays tribute to Danny Buderus as the Blues' inspirational leader prepares to exit the Origin cauldron.

Monday, June 23, 2008

These Sharks are of the hammerhead variety

THE Sharks were too tough for the Eels - simple as that.

Monday, June 16, 2008

One-way traffic as Parramatta show size does matter

PARRAMATTA monstered the much smaller Wests Tigers in a very one-sided contest - highlighting yet again the importance of big men in rugby league.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Inglis wins battle within

Greg Inglis is a rare talent.

Monday, June 9, 2008

Statistics tell tale of a good, old-fashioned flogging

The Roosters lost yesterday's game at Brookvale Oval because they were intimidated out of the contest by the Manly forwards. Basically, they wet their pants.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Why they fire under Belly

State of Origin I pretty much went according to plan - but that's not the least bit surprising for a side coached by Craig Bellamy.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Mr Sheens' spray wipes slate clean for Titanic job

HOW does a coach go about getting his team ready to beat the competition leaders?

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Time to get brutal: we need radical change to save game

It's time rugby league regained full ownership of its game.

Monday, May 19, 2008

C'mon! Where has the passion gone fellas?

YESTERDAY'S match between Newcastle and Wests Tigers resembled something more like a friendly Sunday afternoon tennis match than an important game of professional football.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Time for the Cowboys and Murray to part company

Bookmakers have been swamped with bets suggesting the Cowboys' Graham Murray is about to become the first NRL coach sacked in 2008. It's a time-honoured formula that the best form guide you can ever find on a racetrack is to follow the money. The smart money could be right on the mark with this tip as well.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Dragons their own worst enemies

THE Dragons were the better team yesterday. They defended better, created more opportunities, made more line-breaks and dominated field position for the majority of the contest. So why did they lose, asks Phil Gould.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

With this line-up, Blues will liquidate those Cane Toads

NSW have lost the last two State of Origin series. But that's all about to change because new coach Craig Bellamy is just the man to bring home the shield. Bellamy has kept his cards close to his chest when it comes to selecting the team. I'm not sure what he has in mind but, for what it's worth, these are the players I would select for the Blues.

Friday, May 9, 2008

Credibility of international game at stake

TONIGHT'S Centenary Test is essentially a test of character for the Kiwis as they desperately try to restore lost credibility.

Monday, May 5, 2008

Souths deserve a beer

AFTER watching the South Sydney Rabbitohs lose to the Brisbane Broncos last week, I wrote the following: "Their record reads no wins from seven games; but they are much better than those results indicate.