Today we take a look at Phil Gould's run-in with the NRL over his views on the state of the game, whether or not the Sharks are fake leaders, and David Fifita's move to Sydney.
Read on as we tackle some of the big talking points in this week's NRL Real or Not.
Gould needs to make a career choice
REAL: Love him or hate him, there are few sharper minds in the game than the one belonging to Phil Gould. Whether it be in administration where he is currently rebuilding the Bulldogs or as a member of the media where he can be found airing his opinions during game commentary or on Nine's panel show 100% Footy. He arguably does a great job at both, but the question is, should he be allowed to do both?
The NRL have rules that state that club officials are not allowed to say anything that is considered detrimental to the game.
"We welcome constructive criticism and passionate opinions," NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said.
"But registered officials cannot overstep the mark and make comments that are considered detrimental to the game or NRL competition.
"Destructive attacks on the game itself will not be tolerated."
So unless Gould and his legal team can successfully argue against the rules by which he is registered as a club official, he really should give one of his two jobs away. He can not in all seriousness continue in the media, walking on egg shells for fear of upsetting the sensibilities of Abdo. He will lose all media credibility if he starts behaving like a coach asked a difficult question at a post-match media conference, dodging and ducking his true feelings to avoid reprimand.
On top of the fine line he treads when criticising the NRL, there a many that feel he has obvious conflict of interests anyway. He's never going to be openly critical of the Bulldogs and could be seen to be advocating in their favour with some of his passionate rants.
Perhaps the time has come for the game to move onwards with a little less Phil Gould.
It is unfair that David Fifita has ended up at the Roosters
NOT REAL: And so it is, David Fifita will depart the Titans and head to Sydney to join the Roosters. Is it fair that the Titans should lose one of their best players? Well no, not really, but the Roosters, and Panthers, who also courted the star back-rower, have every right to throw money at him.
The salary cap is in place to ensure that the best teams are not able to hoard all of best the talent, especially at times of great success. The Panthers have won the last three Premierships and salary cap pressures have cut a wide path through their talent stocks during that time. When it comes to forwards, they have lost Kurt Capewell, Vilame Kikau, Api Koroisau, J'maine Hopgood, Spencer Leniu, Jaeman Salmon and Paul Momirovski, and next year they will lose James Fisher-Harris. Apart from Luke Garner who they gained from the Tigers and Zac Hosking who came down from the Queensland Cup, all other forward replacements have been home grown.
In that same period the Roosters have lost Isaac Liu, Freddy Lussick, Matt Lodge, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Nathan Brown and Paul Momirovski. They have Penrith's Spencer Leniu joining them next year, but clearly have cap space, with some key backs leaving, and spots to fill in their pack.
Fifita has to do what is best for himself and his family. He has given his all to the Titans cause and now feels it is time to enjoy the fruits of his labour at another, more successful club. You can't expect the best clubs to pass up the opportunity to welcome him aboard.
Sharks are false NRL ladder leaders
REAL: The Sharks sit atop the NRL ladder after Round 9 and have not taken too kindly to criticism that they have enjoyed a soft draw. The draw of course is out of their control, but it clearly hasn't been a tough start to the year. So far this season they have beaten the Warriors and Bulldogs, were well beaten by the Tigers, before going on to defeat the Raiders, Rabbitohs, Cowboys, Raiders again, and the Dragons.
Before the season started the Warriors, Rabbitohs, Cowboys and Raiders were expected to be very competitive, but things have not panned out that way. In fact of the clubs the Sharks have played so far this season, only the Buldogs are currently in the Top 8. Tigers game aside, the Sharks have looked sharp in both attack and defence. They have used the start of the season to fine tune their combinations and will now have a difficult period to truly test their mettle.
They take on the Storm this weekend, before facing the Roosters, Panthers, Eels, Broncos and Dolphins. If they can make it through that lot with a few wins under their belts, then perhaps they will finally silence the skeptics.