I respect Phil Gould but his views on the Newcastle Knights Kalyn Ponga headbutt are years delayed
(overkill? The greatest danger is that it’s too little, too late, but we’ll see. Given what is both an existential threat and a moral imperative, it’s the game finally doing what it simply has to do to avoid being wiped out. Say Phil, have you seen the class action lawsuits against the NFL, England Rugby, FIFA, the AFL. Do you think the NRL should wait for the class action lawsuit coming their way to get even bigger, or should they just ignore it? Serious question.)
Phil Gould has much to say about Ponga being pulled off the field against the Warriors by the independent doctor with suspected concussion.Credit:Getty
“[The NRL] give way to the media and doctors and lawyers and all that misinformation.”
(What misinformation, Phil? If you have more medical knowledge than doctors and more legal knowledge than lawyers, let us hear it. Open up or shut up. I repeat: what misinformation, Phil? can you spell it)
“It’s like arguing with people about climate change. That is the same.”
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(It’s a little, isn’t it Phil? How ridiculous is it? You have the UN, NASA, CSIRO, and every reputable environmental agency on one end of the seesaw, and on the other end you have people who say, “Well, I don’t care, I just think it’s hypocrisy.” And should we take them seriously?)
“It’s all about litigation, it’s all about litigation, that’s what it’s about… They’re worried about this tsunami of class action lawsuits that’s been looming for ages but never coming, and if it is, I say, take them on .”
(And now, after all the professors, actuaries and concussion specialists for the prosecution have testified, let’s go to our defense witness, Phil Gould. “It’s all rubbish.” Do you have anything else Phil?)
That’s enough. As a league commentator, I generally enjoy Gould’s insight and his experience in so many parts of the league means he has some really valuable insight. But in doing so he is doing himself, the administrators, the game itself and above all the players a great disservice.
I’m not saying that Phil has become the Rex Mossop of his generation, consistently 20 years behind the pace. I’m saying if the NRL did what you say Phil they would sign their own death warrant.
Thank you and good day
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https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/i-respect-gus-but-he-s-stuck-in-the-past-when-it-comes-to-dealing-with-concussions-in-the-nrl-20230308-p5cqh8.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_sport I respect Phil Gould but his views on the Newcastle Knights Kalyn Ponga headbutt are years delayed
