Rugby league legends Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler say they both agree with Phil Gould’s decision to take over a Canterbury Bulldogs training session during the week.
Gould, the Bulldogs’ general manager of football, made headlines when it was revealed he took some responsibility off coach Trent Barrett to give feedback to the playing group during a video session, while also getting hands-on during an on-field session.
With the Bulldogs mired in a form slump with just one win from six games, Johns, who was coached by Gould at Origin level, said a “different voice” could be the necessary move to spark a change on the field.
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“A quote that my beautiful girl, the lovely Kate Kendall, says to me, ‘nothing changes if nothing changes’,” Johns told Wide World of Sports’ Freddy & The Eighth.
“A different voice, a couple of different ideas… copping a spray off Gus, I remember he gave me a big bollocking, and it probably brought the best out of me – I played my best series in Origin, in 2003.
“Gus without a doubt is the best coach I’ve had, along with Warren Ryan.
“When Gus coached me, the blinkers were off and the things he spoke about and the things to look for, it was one of those lightbulb moments. Genius mind.
“Challenges guys, can challenge players, but can also manage big egos.”
Gould’s storied history in rugby league as a player, coach, commentator, writer and administrator is well documented.
He was just 30 when he guided the Bulldogs to a title as a coach in 1988 before adding another premiership ring to his hand in 1991 with Penrith. He’s also the most successful NSW Blues coach in history with six Origin series wins.
Speaking on the coaching takeover also, Fittler, who as a teenager was part of the 1991 Penrith premiership-winning squad under Gould, said the issue at Canterbury could be that players aren’t playing for each other on the field.
“You don’t get many chances to have an impact, especially in Gus’ seat, and he understands that,” Fittler said.
“He wanted them to know that they’re not playing up to standard and most of them are capable of doing it, but they’re losing concentration… all the players they’ve bought haven’t taken the team to another level.
“They’re most probably not working for each other, so what happens is, if you’re not working for someone else – every other player gets affected.
“On the other hand, when you look at Penrith, they all work together. They’re all working hard for each other, so they’re all back in position, so there’s less defence and less tacklers. When you’re running, you’ve got more supporters.”
When it comes to success and hardships as a coach, Fittler’s journey has it all.
Before taking over the NSW Blues in 2018, in which he’s now claimed three Origin titles from four series, Fittler previously coached the Roosters between 2007 and 2009, but had just a 43 per cent win rate. He was replaced by Brian Smith in 2010.
“I remember when I coached [at the Roosters], we were going nowhere, they stopped listening,” Fittler said.
“A smart man came up and said I had to do something… I was bumbling along.
“I brought in Arthur Beetson.”
While Fittler added that Beetson’s presence didn’t go “that great,” he said it was the right move to make under the circumstances.
“But what it did do was show that I was willing to do something different,” Fittler explained.
“At the end of the day, it didn’t work. But they also went into the grand final the next year under a different coach.
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“Somewhere along the line, changes were made.”
Meanwhile, Johns said the Bulldogs’ clash with the Roosters on Saturday night will show whether the squad decides to “spit the dummy” or “rip in”.
“Something has to happen. At the moment, they’re lacking spark,” said Johns.
“I think in key positions, they haven’t got players that are up to it. Not up to standard compared to Melbourne, Parramatta and Penrith in key positions.
“We’re going to see what’s under the jersey this week for some of the players.
“They can spit the dummy, whinge and carry on, or they can get themselves ready to play and rip in.”
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