‘Gus isn’t top Dog’
“THE boys know who the coach is.”
That was Trent Barrett’s defiant message after Phil Gould took over training at Belmore this week.
Gould also conducted a scathing video session that took aim at halfback Kyle Flanagan and a number of other players.
“No way. The boys know who the coach is,“Barrett (pictured) said when asked about any confusion it causes players.
“Gus doesn’t interfere with any tactical things. He will give an opinion and give an opinion to me. We speak regularly. That’s his job and that’s what he’s here for.
“And again, why wouldn’t I ask for Gus’ opinion? And if I think a different voice can help the team at a certain stage, why wouldn’t I? I’d be silly not to.
“I have someone like Steve Hansen (former All Blacks coach) here who will be back from Japan in a few months. He‘s a resource we have and I’m going to use him.
“If it’s going to help us win I am going to use him. If I think he can help motivate the players in a different way. That‘s what they’re here for.”
Barrett rejected the suggestion that having Gould take over training would turn into a power struggle between the two figures at the club. Gould, a former premiership-winning coach, is likely to run video or on-field sessions next week.
“He certainly does not undermine me in anything I do here,” Barrett said. “If anything he is here to help. Why wouldn’t I ask for his opinion on different things? I think if he can help in certain areas I will definitely use him.
“I’ll use him again.”
During Gould’s time at the Panthers, the club sacked Ivan Cleary in 2015 and then Anthony Griffin in 2018, when the side was closing in on the top four.
Barrett was at the Panthers as an assistant in 2015 but is adamant Gould’s increased involvement at Belmore is not a threat to his job.
“Pretty well exactly the same,” Barrett said when asked if there was any difference between Gus’ time at Penrith and Belmore.
“There were times when I was at Penrith when Gus would be involved in certain things. In video and on the field. Certainly not anything out of the ordinary for myself and for Phil Gould.”
Bulldogs players were spotted conducting their own honesty sessions, away from the coaching staff and Gould, on Tuesday.
The club is desperate to avoid another loss against the Sydney Roosters but that job has been made harder after skipper Josh Jackson tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday.
Barrett is also sweating on the four players who contracted the virus last week.
Jake Averillo, Brent Naden and Ava Seumanufagai have all been named, but will need to pass blood tests and other training protocols to take the field.