Rugby league legend Phil Gould has been hospitalized due to “significant health concerns,” according to reports. The news was announced by Nine’s Danny Weidler during the Dally M awards on Wednesday, revealing that the 67-year-old has been in the hospital since Monday and faces “a big couple of days ahead.”
Weidler, who spoke with the Canterbury Bulldogs general manager to extend his well wishes, shared the update on social media platform X. “Nine league expert and Bulldogs boss Phil Gould has been in hospital since Monday and has some significant health concerns,” he wrote.
The Australian has reported that Gould is awaiting test results related to a heart condition. Although absent from Channel Nine’s “100% Footy” show on Monday night, Gould has remained in good spirits, maintaining contact with the Bulldogs hierarchy via email from his hospital bed.
Health Concerns and Hospital Stay
Canterbury chief executive Aaron Warburton confirmed that Gould is undergoing further tests. “He’s had a few tests and will have a few more,” Warburton told News Corp. “He’s in good spirits.”
This hospitalization follows earlier health concerns for Gould, who underwent eye surgery earlier this year. The former Canterbury and Penrith coach shared a photo on social media post-surgery, wearing a see-through eye-patch over his “new eye” and announcing a short break from rugby league. “And there it is … A new eye,” he captioned the image.
Despite his current health issues, Gould has remained active on social media, recently congratulating the Brisbane Broncos on their finals victory against Penrith.
A Busy Year in Rugby League
Gould’s hospitalization comes at the end of a busy year for the rugby league coach. His team was knocked out of this year’s finals series by Penrith, despite being a strong contender to end their 21-year wait for a championship.
Additionally, Gould has been vocal about the National Rugby League’s (NRL) preliminary final scheduling. He criticized the league on Nine’s “Wide World of Sports,” arguing that the Melbourne Storm received an unfair advantage ahead of the NRL Grand Final against the Broncos.
“They are gonna get an extra two days of recovery leading into the grand final,” Gould said on “Wide World of Sports’ Six Tackles With Gus.” “That’s huge at this time of year, absolutely huge. That’s again one of the vagaries in our game that we just overlook and say that’s OK, we will just have to put up with it. I really don’t think it’s fair.”
The scheduling was reportedly adjusted to avoid a conflict with the AFL Grand Final. However, Gould dismissed concerns about the AFL event, suggesting alternative scheduling for the NRL preliminaries.
Phil Gould’s Rugby League Legacy
Gould’s career in rugby league is marked by significant achievements as a player, coach, and administrator. He began his journey with the Wentworthville Magpies before joining the Penrith Panthers in 1976, where he played for four years. His playing career also included stints with the Newtown Jets, Canterbury Bulldogs, and Souths, before injuries led him to retire in 1986.
Transitioning to coaching, Gould led the Bulldogs, Penrith, and the Roosters, winning premierships with both the Bulldogs and Panthers. As the New South Wales State of Origin coach, he secured six titles for the Blues.
Earlier this year, Gould was involved in a heated exchange with league reporter Michael Chammas on Nine’s “100% Footy,” concerning former Bulldogs star Lachlan Galvin’s departure from the club. Gould denied misleading the public about Galvin’s contract status, asserting that his statements were truthful at the time.
“How did I mislead you on Lachlan Galvin?” Gould asked. “I never said I wasn’t interested. What I said was we’re on a different course, he’s not in our plans because he wasn’t off contract until 2027.”
As Gould continues to recover, the rugby league community remains hopeful for his swift return to health and the sport he has significantly impacted.
