NRL great Corey Parker has weighed in on the fine given to Canterbury-Bankstown General Manager and media personality Phil Gould, after the Bulldogs’ supremo’s comments were deemed to have negatively affected the game.
Gould was fined $20,000 for an outburst on Channel Nine program 100% Footy in which he repeatedly called the game “stupid” for how it implements rules, $10,000 of which was suspended.
The NRL deemed his comments were “considered to be detrimental to the best interests of the game”.
Speaking on SENQ Breakfast, Parker said that, while Gould’s comments had merit, he did harm the image of the game.
“He’s overstepped the line,” Parker commented.
“He made some great points. I agree with him, no two ways about that, but the fact that he is the GM of the Bulldogs is where you can’t come out and say things like that.
“If he wasn’t the GM of the Bulldogs, play on, he can have that opinion… but you can’t come out and ridicule the game the way he has.”
Gould was angry about how the rules were being officiated, with particular reference to the controversial no-try decision to Apisai Koroisau last week.
In the no-try, Koroisau was deemed by the video officials to have lost possession of the ball as, when slowed down considerably, the ball separates from the Tigers’ skipper’s hand before he slams it down.
Gould, known for his role as part of Channel Nine’s media coverage team, also took aim at obstructions and debates around changing kick-offs.
He has five days to respond to the breach notice.