NRL great PHIL GOULD will appear on Nine’s 100% FOOTY every Monday night of the NRL season, debating rugby league’s hottest topics alongside Phil Gould and James Bracey. Tune in tonight at 10:30pm (AEDT) following a bumper Round One!
Bulldogs general manager of football Phil Gould has shut down suggestions coach Trent Barrett could be forced out of the club following last year’s disappointment.
Barrett’s first season in charge at Canterbury last year was tough for the entire club, with the Bulldogs finishing as wooden-spooners with just three wins.
The Bulldogs have since brought in a host of recruits this season, including Tevita Pangai Junior, Matt Burton, Josh Addo-Carr and Matt Dufty, and hope better results are on the way.
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The new-look Bulldogs kick-started season 2022 with a thrilling 6-4 win over the Cowboys on Sunday, and they achieved that result despite losing four players through head knocks.
And while yesterday’s result was a positive sign for the club, the future of coach Barrett, who’s currently in the second year of a three-year contract, remains a hot talking point.
Gould was queried on the speculation suggesting Barrett could be gone sooner rather than later, and whether the former Dally M Medal winner is the right man for the job.
“I’ve got no questions about Trent whatsoever, and I don’t know where that rubbish comes from,” Gould told Nine’s 100% Footy.
“He will be the coach at the Bulldogs for a long time as far as I’m concerned. He’s got such a wonderful nature as a coach.
“He has great knowledge, great delivery, great communication.
“Anyone saying those things don’t know Trent and the work he’s doing at the Bulldogs.
“He’s doing a wonderful job and the boys supported him with a wonderful win on the weekend.”
Gould said yesterday’s win for the club was a positive sign that the new-look side could grind out close games.
“It was great to give the fans something to cheer for,” Gould said.
“They haven’t won many games over the last few years.
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“With so many new faces in the side, it was always going to be a difficult trip … I thought they came together and galvanised.
“This was a game more on effort and turning up for each other than any great skill. I thought they really gutsed out a tough win.”
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