Bulldogs deny Barrett’s been thrown under the Gus

CANTERBURY players have backed Phil Gould’s involvement declaring: “If you can’t handle the heat you’re in the wrong spot”.

Bulldogs players have spoken on the highly publicised video session which saw Gould deliver a few home truths to a struggling Canterbury outfit.

Back-rower Corey Waddell (inset) said while Gould’s involvement was not uncommon, he took no issue with Gould’s message which “wasn’t so much a spray”.

“Everyone knows Gus (Gould),” Waddell said. “He says it how it is and he is honest. If you can’t handle the heat you’re in the wrong sport. This is the NRL and we’re here to get results. It’s his job to make sure we are getting results.

“There has been a lot of stuff in the media about Gus and Baz (coach Trent Barrett). What’s put out there is different to how we feel in the four walls. Gus is always around the club – he is the general manager. To have his help is special. We look to any help we can get. We know who the coach is. Baz is the head coach. He is there for us 100 per cent of the time. For Gus to come to a video session is not out of the blue. It’s pretty normal for us.” Centre Jake Averillo missed the last-start loss to Brisbane after being struck down by Covid-19. Watching on from his home, he said it was easy to identify the missteps his side took. “They scored a try and we dropped our heads,” Averillo said. “We have to stay positive and be a bit more resilient.

“I’m used to (the outside noise). I’ve been at the club for a couple of years now and it seems to be common. I don’t look too much into it. We just have to win footy games, that usually solves it.

“(Gould) gave us honest feedback – what we need as individuals to improve.”

Wadell threw his support behind Barrett, who has come under-fire as the Bulldogs again slump to the bottom of the premiership ladder with just one win this season.

They share a long bond, having spent time together during Barrett’s first stint at the Panthers.

“He hasn’t changed,” Waddell said. “He has always fronted and copped the flak for us, week in and week out.”