Phil Gould has never been one to bite his tongue, and this week, the rugby league world was once again reminded why his voice still carries so much weight in the game. In a fiery tirade that sent ripples through the NRL community, the veteran coach-turned-commentator unleashed a scathing attack on the league’s scheduling department, calling the current system “absolutely ridiculous” and accusing officials of “dudding” the Penrith Panthers ahead of one of the most important clashes of their season.
The Panthers, already battling fatigue and injuries from a grueling stretch of fixtures, now find themselves at the center of a storm that has reignited long-standing frustrations around fairness, favoritism, and common sense in the NRL’s fixture planning. For Gould, who maintains strong ties to the Panthers and remains a passionate advocate for the integrity of the game, this isn’t just another week of controversy—it’s a battle for what he sees as justice in a league that continues to compromise its product through poorly thought-out logistics.
Gould’s comments came in the wake of Penrith being handed a brutally short turnaround ahead of their upcoming clash with a well-rested opponent. Having played just days earlier in a physically and emotionally taxing contest, the reigning premiers now face the unenviable task of backing up with limited recovery time—a scenario Gould believes borders on negligence.
“You can’t expect elite athletes to deliver elite performances when they’re treated like this,” Gould said during a segment on Nine’s 100% Footy. “What the NRL has done to the Panthers this week is not just unfair, it’s bordering on dangerous. This isn’t just about Penrith—it’s about player welfare, it’s about common sense, and it’s about ensuring the best product is on display for fans.”
The Panthers’ short turnaround, Gould noted, contrasts starkly with the extended break their upcoming opponents received. The scheduling quirk has many scratching their heads, wondering how such disparities are allowed to persist in a competition that prides itself on being one of the most professionally run leagues in the world. According to Gould, the answer lies in a lack of foresight, consistency, and accountability.
“This happens far too often,” he continued. “You’ve got teams playing on a Sunday and then turning around to play again on a Thursday. Meanwhile, their opposition’s been sitting on the couch since Friday. How is that an even playing field? It’s not. And when it keeps happening to the same teams, you’ve got to ask questions.”
The Panthers, who have already had to deal with a mountain of injuries and representative commitments this season, now find themselves facing a daunting matchup with less time to prepare, both physically and tactically. And while coach Ivan Cleary has chosen his words carefully, there’s no denying the frustration that has seeped into the club’s camp.
For fans of the game, Gould’s comments echo a sentiment that has been brewing for years. While the NRL has made strides in many areas—expanding the game’s reach, improving officiating standards, and investing in grassroots programs—scheduling remains a perennial sore spot. Teams often feel shortchanged by quick turnarounds, long travel requirements, and seemingly arbitrary decisions that can tilt the competitive balance.
What makes this instance particularly egregious in Gould’s view is the timing. The Panthers are not only in the middle of a tightly contested ladder battle, but the match in question could have significant implications for finals positioning. Every decision, every minute of preparation matters at this point in the season, and Gould believes the NRL has compromised the integrity of the fixture.
“They’re being dudded, plain and simple,” he said bluntly. “You can’t treat one of your flagship clubs like this and expect people not to notice. The Panthers have carried this competition for years—developing stars, winning titles, playing the kind of footy people pay to see. And this is how they’re repaid? It’s not right.”
While some may dismiss Gould’s comments as par for the course—after all, he has never shied away from controversy—the fact remains that his criticisms are rooted in observable issues. The disparity in turnaround times is real. The impact on performance and player welfare is real. And so too is the frustration among coaches, players, and fans alike who are growing tired of what feels like an avoidable problem.
NRL officials, for their part, have so far remained tight-lipped. While it’s understood that scheduling complexities—broadcast demands, venue availability, and travel logistics—often make perfection impossible, there is a growing belief that more can and should be done to create a more equitable system. Calls for greater transparency and a formal review process have intensified, with Gould’s latest spray only adding fuel to the fire.
Some within the NRL community have rallied behind Gould, applauding his willingness to speak out when others choose silence. Former players, current coaches, and media figures have all weighed in, with many pointing out similar experiences with uneven scheduling throughout the years. For them, this isn’t about favoritism or club allegiance—it’s about improving the overall fairness and quality of the competition.
Others, however, have urged caution, suggesting that Gould’s relationship with the Panthers may color his view. Still, even critics concede that the broader issue he raises deserves serious attention. In a league where the margins between winning and losing are razor-thin, even a single day’s difference in preparation can sway results, influence careers, and shape narratives.
If the NRL is serious about leveling the playing field, then it must look closely at how it assigns fixtures. That means prioritizing player recovery, minimizing back-to-back away games, and ensuring that clubs aren’t penalized for their own success—such as losing players to representative duties or being scheduled in prime time slots that lead to shorter turnarounds.
As for the Panthers, they will soldier on, as they always do, with a steely resolve and the kind of professional culture that has made them a benchmark club in recent seasons. But the fact that they must once again overcome hurdles not of their own making is a damning indictment of the system. They shouldn’t have to fight this battle alone.
Gould’s impassioned defense of the Panthers is not simply a nostalgic show of loyalty—it’s a plea for better standards across the board. For a league that demands so much from its athletes, the very least it can do is provide a fair and balanced schedule. That means considering not just TV ratings or commercial interests, but the real-world consequences of lopsided preparation windows.
Until the NRL begins to prioritize those factors, voices like Gould’s will only grow louder. Because as much as the league may wish to move past these controversies, they remain embedded in the weekly grind of clubs trying to compete on a supposed level playing field that so often feels anything but.
In the end, Gould’s tirade may not immediately change policies or fix the flaws in the current system, but it does serve a critical purpose—it holds power to account. It reminds fans and officials alike that the pursuit of excellence on the field must be matched by diligence and fairness off it. And most importantly, it places pressure on those in charge to ensure that no team—no matter how successful, no matter how marketable—is forced to compete with one hand tied behind its back.
For now, the Panthers will prepare as best they can, leaning on their depth, experience, and unshakeable belief in each other. But as Gould made perfectly clear, they shouldn’t have to fight this hard just to get a fair shot. And if nothing else, that message needs to echo well beyond the confines of Penrith. Because until the NRL gets its house in order, the credibility of its competition will remain under a very bright, and very uncomfortable, spotlight.
