Phil Gould has voiced his discontent regarding the presence of cameras in team dressing rooms, particularly highlighted after a recent outburst by Titans coach Des Hasler. Following a narrow one-point defeat to the Tigers, Hasler lost his temper with his players, seen in footage where he demanded they leave the showers while owner Rebecca Frizelle stood nearby. Notable players, including David Fifita and Klese Haas, were part of the scene as they exited.
Gould pointed out that Hasler has been under considerable pressure to retain his position at the club, especially with Frizelle reportedly considering significant changes. He expressed his belief that the sacredness and privacy of the dressing room should be preserved for players and coaches, rather than being subject to media coverage.
During an episode of Nine’s 100% Footy, Gould stated, "I think cameras should be banned from the dressing rooms or at least be handheld cameras so they know the camera’s there." He firmly opposed the idea of such footage being publicly accessible, asserting that it does not benefit anyone involved, including Hasler or the sport itself.
Gould emphasized that while he appreciates the role of television in promoting rugby league, certain aspects, like Hasler’s emotional moment, shouldn’t be exposed to public scrutiny. He remarked, "I don’t think it’s a good look for him or anyone… it’s embarrassing for him, and it’s not fair for the public to witness that."
As of now, Hasler has not publicly commented on the incident. However, Gould speculated that he likely wouldn’t be overly affected by the fallout, though he reiterated his stance against allowing such moments to be shared with the public.