Bulldogs coach Phil Gould went on a fiery State of Origin rant on Channel Nine after NSW were beaten 44-22 by the Blues in game two at the MCG, forcing co-hosts into an uncomfortable silence as he criticised selections and mocked the debate around Cameron Murr
The set on Channel Nine didn’t just go quiet when Phil Gould started talking — it went awkward.
After the Blues were drubbed 44-22 by Laurie Daley’s NSW side in game two on Wednesday night at the MCG. Gould appeared to have no patience left for the usual round of panel discussion. When host James Bracey asked whether he agreed with Blues legend Andrew Johns that Cameron Murray should start in game three after being used off the bench in Melbourne. Gould shot him down immediately.
“Tonight’s not the night to be looking at selections,” Gould said, throwing the conversation to a standstill as Darren Lockyer and Brad Fittler sat stunned. Gould pointed to the timing of the decision.
“They’ve got another two club rounds to get through before they can pick a team [for game three on July 8].”
Then came the harder line — aimed not just at the question, but at the people feeding the debate.
“And I’ve got some advice for them [the NSW selectors]: stop listening to advice.”
Gould followed it with a series of direct instructions, telling the panel and, implicitly, the selectors to stop outsourcing judgment.
“Stop listening to people in the media. Stop listening to experts on panels. Stop reading the papers and sit down, analyse the game, get a game plan together and pick a team that can execute the game plan.”
“Very frustrating, our selection process, I’m afraid.”
His frustration has been fuelled by the backlash that has followed game two. The decisions Gould singled out — and that fans and experts have heavily criticised — were the dropping of Haumole Olakau’atu. Ethan Strange being given only 16 minutes of playing time. and the fact Apisai Koroisau was not used off the bench.
The intensity of Gould’s spray had echoes of another blunt Origin moment on Nine. straight after the side’s game one win. On that occasion. Bracey asked whether Gould believed Kalyn Ponga deserved to be sent off for his controversial hit on Tolu Koula. Gould refused to answer. telling the host: “James. I suggest you ask someone else mate. rather than me. if you don’t mind.”.
Viewers could hear the tension on set as the rest of the panel sat in stunned silence.
Gould then joked, “I would like for you to keep your job.”
When it returned to the present after game two, Bracey — clearly upset — answered back in the moment, saying: “We are having an open discussion about an incident that happened tonight.”
For Gould, the central issue wasn’t just what happened on the field. It was what people were saying about it afterward — and how quickly the selectors were being pulled into a debate before there’s even a team picked for game three on July 8.
Phil Gould Channel Nine State of Origin NSW Blues game two MCG 44-22 Laurie Daley James Bracey Andrew Johns Cameron Murray Darren Lockyer Brad Fittler Haumole Olakau'atu Ethan Strange Apisai Koroisau Kalyn Ponga Tolu Koula
Nine hosts went silent?? Like they literally cut him off or what, sounds dramatic lol.
Honestly I kinda get it. If you lose 44-22 then everyone starts playing armchair coach. Cameron Murray should’ve started… or maybe he shouldn’t, I don’t even know anymore.
Phil Gould acting like “don’t listen to experts” is funny because he IS an expert. Also weren’t the Blues supposed to win? Like that scoreline is insane. I think the real issue was they let the media pick the lineup or something, not the selectors.
The whole “another two club rounds” thing lost me. So they can’t pick a team until July 8? That seems late. But also if he’s mad about panels, why is he yelling on a panel on Channel Nine. Sounds like he’s blaming everybody except the coach… again.