Gus Gould on TPA's "The Elephant in The Room"

2. The elephant is still in the room

I honestly believe the time has come for a total rethink on the matter of third-party payments to players. The whole system needs to be restructured. One month ago in my weekly The Sun-Herald column I wrote that "the issue of third-party payments to players and their effects on the game need to be discussed". I went on to say "I think it's time the commissioners, NRL management and club officials get themselves together to discuss the realities and effects of third-party agreements on the NRL competition as it stands today. This very important matter has never really been adequately discussed between the clubs. I know this part of our game is a growing source of frustration amongst fans. I know the growing disparity in third-party sponsorship levels between NRL clubs is also a major concern for NRL officials and the salary cap auditors". The reaction to my comments was predictable – complete silence. We get silence because no one really knows what to do about it. To be honest, no one has the courage to deal with it head on. I cannot emphasise just how important it is that our game's leaders take charge of the situation.

As I think we all suspected, the other clubs have been so quiet on this as they know the system is flawed and unequal so needs to be skirted for some teams to remain competitive.

"Just as important as our Moses inspired attack is our vastly improved defence of late. This team now works together when under threat and repels the opposition like never before. And this is true in all grades thru to our matts. Their is a…"

"There were also times where he got dropped, even a period where he was dropped by Brian Smith for half a season while Burt carved up NSW Cup, like he dominated and Smith wouldn't pick him and still stayed. He was a true club man and a Warrior."

Replies

Sneaky Pete April 13, 2016 at 11:39am

Gould makes a very valid point
Bert de Naturál✌️™ April 13, 2016 at 12:20pm

I think other clubs stay quiet because they would shite themselves if they were investigated and scrutinized as we have been.

Would love to see the other clubs have their computers and phones "forensically" checked. The NRL would have to suspend the whole season... no team would be left with any points..... but then on the other hand we all start on -10.

Could actually be the fairest thing to happen.
- ParraTime > Bert de Naturál✌️™ April 13, 2016 at 12:22pm
  
  Like how can Manly offer DCE that sort of money and still go on a shopping spree?
- Monster Eel #38 > Bert de Naturál✌️™ April 13, 2016 at 12:40pm
  
  No, Bert, NRL wouldn't do that...only to Parra and Parra only
- FME > Bert de Naturál✌️™ April 13, 2016 at 1:05pm
  
  But this won't happen because the nrl would prefer to sit on thier back sides and wait for whistle blowers to do thier jobs for them.
- EeLmatiC > Bert de Naturál✌️™ April 13, 2016 at 4:33pm
  
  We need someone to hack other teams computers and leak it to the media! That's the only way we will confirm what everyone already knows - that all teams are cheating the cap
Frank The Tank April 13, 2016 at 12:20pm

I know there is a lot of dislike for Gould on here, but in my opinion he is one the better people in rugby league.
Nitram April 13, 2016 at 12:34pm

Wow Goald deserves massive respect after these comments. Read between the lines he is basically saying all clubs are doing what parra are doing just some on a bigger scale not because they are more dodgy but because they are a bigger club and are thus more capable of doing so i.e. brisbane.
1Eyed Eel April 13, 2016 at 12:49pm

If we lose points, I think our supporter base should seriously consider launching a crowd-funding campaign to employ a private investigator to go and put the same level of scrutiny on every club, the role of the players managers, etc. and then publish all of the findings Wikileaks-style.
- Big Z > 1Eyed Eel April 13, 2016 at 1:06pm
  
  That is the best idea I have heard, I will be the 1st to donate to that cause.........1eyed, get it going