In Phil Gould’s eyes, having a North Queensland team in the NRL is imperative to the NRL’s future success, and that is the main reason why he has decided to accept the role as advisor to the club.
Regarded as the game’s best commentator and best mind tactically, Gould is set to arrive in Townsville next week to begin his role as the advisor with the North Queensland Cowboys.
As part of his role as advisor, Gould will sit down with and meet with all of the coaching and administration staff before pre-season training begins, to observe the day-to-day runnings of the Cowboys organisation.
Gould, who is also a former NSW coach, is well aware of the vast array of young and upcoming talent that exists in North Queensland, and he is ready to move the club forward in the right direction.
The last thing Gus wants to see is another disappointing season for the Cowboys, in which they don’t make the finals.
“North Queensland is extremely important to the NRL, they can’t afford to be back in that position,” he said.
“They have a great supporter base and the club is doing everything possible to turn that form around.
“Like all clubs they have undergone a review of what by their standards was a very poor season.
“They’ll be looking to give the players and the coaching staff every opportunity to turn it around next year.
“It will be an interesting challenge, I’m looking forward to it.”
In perhaps one of the biggest re-shuffles of the modern era, the Cowboys have parted ways with a staggering 16 players, as a mix of experienced players and youthful players have been signed in a revamped Cowboys outfit.
The club has also appointed a new CEO in Peter Jordain, as well as the new head of the high performance fitness unit, former Cowboy, Paul Bowman.
Gould’s primary role is to keep an eye on each individual area and aspect of the club as it goes through its transitional phase, and offer his experience to the board if he sees something he believes should be changed or adapted slightly.
Current chief executive Peter Parr is confident that with all of the changes in personnel and structure undertaken by the club, they will be a much better side for it.
“We don’t want to run down the bottom again,” he said.
“We’re really excited about reinvigorating the football team and ensuring that we get back to where everyone wants us to be.”