Phil Gould has sharply criticised the leadership of the St George Illawarra Dragons, urging the veteran players to take responsibility for their woeful 0-5 record at the start of the 2026 season. After their disheartening defeat to the Cowboys, which marked their ninth consecutive loss, Gould emphatically stated that the onus of the rebuilding effort should not fall on the shoulders of the younger players. Instead, he called upon the experienced members of the team to "go out and fix it."
During his commentary on 100% Footy, Gould remarked on the alarming decline of the Dragons, suggesting their recent performance could be their lowest point yet. He argued that it’s unfair to expect young talents to lift the team out of this dire situation. Gould highlighted the necessity for the seasoned players, who contributed to the current predicament, to step up and turn things around, creating a more supportive and positive environment for younger teammates.
The recent 32-0 defeat was particularly challenging for novice players, who were left facing a booing crowd amidst a frustrating atmosphere. Gould acknowledged the detrimental impact that poor performances from senior players could have on the confidence of the younger roster. He urged coach Shane Flanagan to rely on the experienced players to rectify the team’s plight rather than hastily introducing rookies solely to appease fan expectations.
Gould maintained that leadership was sorely lacking among the senior players, suggesting that many of them appeared overwhelmed and disengaged on the field. Highlighting the unprecedented nature of the Dragons’ start to the season, which is their worst since the club’s formation in 1998, he argued for a collective effort from the veterans to restore competitiveness rather than placing the burden on the newcomers.
Finally, Gould stressed the importance of fostering a better team spirit among the experienced players before involving younger athletes in critical matches. He warned against using inexperienced players to address existing issues, asserting, “Put the old blokes out there and tell them to fix it. That’s their job.” As the Dragons prepare to face the Manly Sea Eagles this Friday, they will need to demonstrate a significant turnaround to regain their footing in the league.