Gould up to his tricks (again)

[Tiger-ferret]

Its the romance of public comments tgst makes it different. Some humans get caught up in it

I reckon most NRL players do. Why would you sign with a club at the butt of the joke?

For overs

 

[Betterdays22]

I personally have a different opinion to most. I don't see how making public positive comments are really any different to making private positive comments. If Bula chooses to leave I don't believe Gould's praise is in any way likely to be the reason.
I'm not going to pretend it's not a conflict of interest for the likes of Gould and Anasta to have their dual roles but I don't think it is hugely influential. There is the argument that publicly praising a player puts Gould/Dogs in a weaker negotiating position as Moses can quote Gould back to himself and say these are how much you value him, now make an offer that reflects that.

I somewhat agree re the praise, but directly telling the Dragons "not to sign a fullback" was a really bizarre and unneccesary statement considering the context of the dogs being in direct competition with the dragons for Bulas signature

 

[Yossarian]

Firstly lm no fan of Gould and I would never think about defending him ..about anything

However looking at this from Bula’s perspective ,,,,I’m going to go a little against the grain on this one …. Does a grown married man respond to someone glazing him publicly to the point of turning your back on your supposed mentor coach and player mates at the club ?

For me it’s not whether it’s fully, partially or even slightly effective. It’s that he uses his media profile to advance his own and/or his club’s interests.

 

[gregjm87]

I somewhat agree re the praise, but directly telling the Dragons "not to sign a fullback" was a really bizarre and unneccesary statement considering the context of the dogs being in direct competition with the dragons for Bulas signature

Potentially but would want to hear the context around it and his explanation of what they do need.
Also surely St George aren't changing the recruitment plans based on what a commentator has said.

 

[Tom Shines]

For me it’s not whether it’s fully, partially or even slightly effective. It’s that he uses his media profile to advance his own and/or his club’s interests.

Ok …

My concern is with what Bula does though …not Gould … I’ve hated Gould for a lot of other reasons prior to this one ..for years now, I couldn’t think any less of him

 

[Yossarian]

Ok …

My concern is with what Bula does though …not Gould … I’ve hated Gould for a lot of other reasons prior to this one ..for years now, I couldn’t think any less of him

I’m not saying I’m indifferent to what Bula does and I’m not trying to get into an argument here. I’m just saying there’s a bigger issue whereby the CEO of a club actively white ants opposition clubs through a media platform.

 

[Yossarian]

Potentially but would want to hear the context around it and his explanation of what they do need.
Also surely St George aren't changing the recruitment plans based on what a commentator has said.

He basically listed things the Dragons shouldn’t do to change things short term. Most of it is general advice but then he says don’t sign a fullback or something like that. It’s weird enough the CEO of a club is in the media talking down another club (he suggests they may be in a hole for 5 to 10 years) but the fullback comment was next level.
Basically, don’t waste time and money on buying a fullback for short term gain.

 

[Tom Shines]

I’m not saying I’m indifferent to what Bula does and I’m not trying to get into an argument here. I’m just saying there’s a bigger issue whereby the CEO of a club actively white ants opposition clubs through a media platform.

I’m not trying to argue with you either … I put forward my thoughts on this initially… I don’t get why a grown man would get his head turned over some praise from the likes of Gould …if he leaves at the end of the day ..it’s on him not Gould…that’s the point I was making ..looks like you are making a different one

 

[Betterdays22]

Potentially but would want to hear the context around it and his explanation of what they do need.
Also surely St George aren't changing the recruitment plans based on what a commentator has said.

You can form your own opinion. You are a very rational contributor here, I just find it to be a very odd thing to say. As you say unlikely to make a whole lot of difference to the Dragons recruitment.

 

[wstigers11]

Gould needs to be stepped down a peg

 

[Yossarian]

I’m not trying to argue with you either … I put forward my thoughts on this initially… I don’t get why a grown man would get his head turned over some praise …if he leaves at the end of the day ..it’s on him not Gould

Oh I agree on that and you’d hope a grown man does what he thinks is best for him. Sadly it seemed to work last year. It’s a bad look generally for the game though.

 

[Tom Shines]

Oh I agree on that and you’d hope a grown man does what he thinks is best for him. Sadly it seemed to work last year. It’s a bad look generally for the game though.

different players and circumstances,… that other guy was never staying at the club from the moment the club signed Luai and supposedly blocked his path

 

[Yossarian]

different players and circumstances,… that other guy was never staying at the club from the moment the club signed Luai and supposedly blocked his path

Sure but, rightly or wrongly, the perception is there that Gould ran a campaign to get him out of his contract with us and over to Canterbury and that it worked.

 

[Tom Shines]

Sure but, rightly or wrongly, the perception is there that Gould ran a campaign to get him out of his contract with us and over to Canterbury and that it worked.

Other people’s perceptions don’t mean anything to me…

 

[crazycat]

He was also speaking today about the Dragons today. For starters how is it appropriate for the head of a NRL club to talk down another club and give them advice on what they should to do. He ended by noting a number quick fix solutions they should avoid, the last of which was “sign a fullback.” It’s incredible he keeps getting away with the obvious conflict of interest his dual roles creates. Wife said he walked past where we were sitting on Sunday. Probably lucky I was in the Gents at the time.

So we couldn't sign Laurie Daily as an assistant coach because of his media relationship.

Yet Goul can say this.

 

[crazycat]

The entire article is Cringe:

"
“That’s an athlete.

“Gee-whiz he’s going to be a good player.
“He’s just creamy, so fluid, beautiful, like apple pie on a Sunday.”"..

Seriously. That's borderline inappropiate for TV.

Then the Arguably the best young tigers talent to come through...
In fairness that could be the case, as we have been importing talent everywhere*. Makasini will give Bula a run for his money, but not yet.


It's just bad. Phil Goul shouldn't be allowed to drool over players like that.

Goul makes me want to resign Bula just to keep him jealous.


*we have tried hard to develop local talent, and we have had it sign elsewhere. Not knocking our club, but stating a truth. Hopefully now we start keeping Makasini and others.

 

[mtd#2]

Guys its ultimately up to Jahream. He's clearly a devout Christian, and also seems pretty dedicated to helping out Blackfellas at the Redfern youth centre. He's no fool. He's not going to be swayed by chicanery real or imagined. Gould isn't going to tip the scales.

This infernal contract is hopefully the final instance of a 'Justin Pascoe special'. We have to remember that the 900k option is something that we offered to him and agreed to in an existing contract. Pascoe settled soft on the options in 2023 and we are now once again snookered by his short-termism and idiocy. Was the same with Stefano. "Sign now and we'll deal with the consequences later."

It's a career defining contract decision, we're apparently are looking for a longer, multi-year commitment from Bula instead of the option, but the 900k extra year option is like having 2 queens and a bishop on the chess board, for any agent, let alone Moses. Everyone is entitled to get the best deal they can, Api and Luai probbably held out in exactly the same way. The situation is made even worse in an ironic way because the team is now equal first and the side is on fire. It's like turning up with a knife to a gun fight.

Best post on this thread.

 

[mtd#2]

I personally have a different opinion to most. I don't see how making public positive comments are really any different to making private positive comments. If Bula chooses to leave I don't believe Gould's praise is in any way likely to be the reason.
I'm not going to pretend it's not a conflict of interest for the likes of Gould and Anasta to have their dual roles but I don't think it is hugely influential. There is the argument that publicly praising a player puts Gould/Dogs in a weaker negotiating position as Moses can quote Gould back to himself and say these are how much you value him, now make an offer that reflects that.

To be fair, braith was incredibly diplomatic through the Lachlan ilias saga at the dragons and could have carried on like a pork chop, but didnt... I think he is one of the most honest in the media in the sense he just tells you what he thinks without the BS or politics

 

[crazycat]

This infernal contract is hopefully the final instance of a 'Justin Pascoe special'. We have to remember that the 900k option is something that we offered to him and agreed to in an existing contract. Pascoe settled soft on the options in 2023 and we are now once again snookered by his short-termism and idiocy. Was the same with Stefano. "Sign now and we'll deal with the consequences later."

It's a career defining contract decision, we're apparently are looking for a longer, multi-year commitment from Bula instead of the option, but the 900k extra year option is like having 2 queens and a bishop on the chess board, for any agent, let alone Moses. Everyone is entitled to get the best deal they can, Api and Luai probbably held out in exactly the same way. The situation is made even worse in an ironic way because the team is now equal first and the side is on fire. It's like turning up with a knife to a gun fight.

I can't really fault Pascoe here.

Jahream Bula extends stay at Wests Tigers

Wests Tigers is delighted to announce a contract upgrade and extension for exciting young fullback Jahream Bula.

www.weststigers.com.au

From the 2023 season, Bula was looking like the next NRL gun.
Locking him up till 2027 makes sense. Sure Bula turned out Good but not Great...

I don't know what you would have the WT do differently? What's your suggestion:
Hard ball - offer 500k and lock him up for 5 years?

Not lock him up - offer enough for him to stay 2 years and re-negotiate?


I can see hard balling with unders not working as Bula is looking to leave now. He would be definately gone if he was on say 400k. I also see a smaller extension not working.

So what would you have them do? I know NOT leave the guy to sign up with Issac Moses.

 

[gregjm87]

He basically listed things the Dragons shouldn’t do to change things short term. Most of it is general advice but then he says don’t sign a fullback or something like that. It’s weird enough the CEO of a club is in the media talking down another club (he suggests they may be in a hole for 5 to 10 years) but the fullback comment was next level.
Basically, don’t waste time and money on buying a fullback for short term gain.

You can form your own opinion. You are a very rational contributor here, I just find it to be a very odd thing to say. As you say unlikely to make a whole lot of difference to the Dragons recruitment.

A few thoughts.

My first thought based on comments and then listening to the video was perhaps it was a reference to their pursuit of Fuller for this year only.

I then noted he didn't tell them not to buy a fullback. He said signing a fullback won't instantly solve their problems. Their problems run deeper than who their fullback is. Now this could be viewed as swaying Bula or anyone else against going there but again he could have similar discussions behind closed doors when pitching Dogs over other options. Personally I think he is just offering his opinion rather than trying to sway an outcome.

Finally, I read in one of my group chats that Drinkwater has signed with Dragons (not sure if this is speculation or has been reported). This may be what has prompted the problems run deeper than simply signing a fullback comment.