Gould’s Silent Protest: Bulldogs GM Avoids NRL Fine with Referee Walk-Off
Canterbury Bulldogs General Manager of Football, Phil Gould, employed a dramatic tactic to express his sentiments regarding NRL referees on Monday night, conveying his message without uttering a single word.
During his appearance on Channel Nine’s 100% Footy, host James Bracey questioned Gould about the NRL’s pre-season directive restricting coaches from commenting on refereeing decisions in post-match press conferences.
Conscious of the significant financial penalty he would incur for publicly criticizing match officials on live television, Gould twice walked off the set in a conspicuous display of protest.
Background: Gould’s Previous Fine and NRL’s Stance
Last May, Gould faced a $20,000 fine from the NRL for what was deemed a ‘destructive attack’ on perceived ‘stupid’ rules within the sport.
Although Gould appealed the sanction, the NRL ultimately suspended the fine for a 12-month period.
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Stuart Under Scrutiny: Coach’s Comments on Interpretations
This incident occurs as the NRL reviews Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart’s post-game remarks following his team’s defeat to Manly on March 23.
Stuart, who has accumulated $160,000 in NRL fines since 2002, voiced his frustrations after the Raiders’ 40-12 loss, stating he no longer comprehended the NRL’s interpretations concerning obstruction rules.
The seasoned coach also highlighted disparities in set-restart and penalty counts, despite his analysis indicating comparable play-the-ball speeds for both teams.
Bulldogs executive Phil Gould made his opinions on NRL referees clear through actions, not words, on Channel 9’s 100% Footy program.
Phil Gould (left in picture) twice left the set to prevent a potential outburst against NRL refereeing standards.
NRL’s Edict: Stricter Penalties for Criticizing Referees
NRL Chief Executive Officer Andrew Abdo had previously communicated to clubs before the season’s commencement, asserting that head office would enforce stricter penalties for public criticisms directed at match officials.
The NRL’s communication emphasized that coach’s remarks amplified negative attention from fans and media concerning officiating decisions, often attributed to ‘differences of opinion’.
Stuart’s Measured Words: Avoiding NRL Sanctions
Stuart deliberately chose his language carefully following the Raiders game to avoid any potential NRL repercussions.
He notably refrained from directly mentioning referee Grant Atkins when questioned about his satisfaction with the official’s performance.
‘I’m not permitted to discuss the referee, but I trust (NRL CEO) Andrew Abdo has explanations for us all,’ Stuart commented.
Rules Committee and Interpretation Concerns
Stuart was among a group of three coaches, including Ivan Cleary and Wayne Bennett, who collaborated with Abdo, Head of Football Graham Annesley, and referee Ashley Klein on a committee to review rules during the off-season.
Discussions within this committee centered on interpretations of obstruction rules, with the NRL purportedly placing greater responsibility on defenders to make sound judgments.
Stuart expressed that this approach had seemingly ‘gone out the window’, feeling his time on the committee was ‘wasted’ after a try to Canberra centre Seb Kris was disallowed early in the game.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart carefully selected his words post-match to circumvent potential NRL penalties.
Ashley Klein is widely considered a leading NRL referee, having officiated the 2024 Grand Final between Penrith and Melbourne.
Inconsistency in Ruck Infringements Alleged
The Raiders coach further suggested inconsistencies in the application of ruck infringement penalties across the league.
‘The six-again calls against my players, I witness similar tackles every week by certain teams and there’s no action,’ Stuart stated.
Curran Penalty: Impersonating a Match Official
In a separate incident, it is understood the NRL supported referee Wyatt Raymond’s decision to penalize Canterbury player Josh Curran for acting ‘against the true spirit of the game’ by mimicking a match official.
Curran received a penalty in the Bulldogs’ 16-8 victory over Parramatta after calling Matt Doorey offside, causing the Eels player to withdraw from a tackle.