Ask Gus: When Gus dropped Royce Simmons 'He had a LOT of beers'

Mathew Thompson· Host0:00

[upbeat music] All right. Ask Gus to send in your questions, six tackles@nine.com.au or send us messages via Instagram and Facebook to NRL On Nine. We've got a very pressing Ask Gus question for you. Simon is asking you, Gus, "I'm looking for a bit of unfiltered coaching history. I'm a mad lifelong Panthers fan. Firstly, regarding 1991, I've always wondered about the tough calls you have had to make as a coach. This one was around Royce Simmons during the premiership year. You left him out for most of the year. How'd you balance the emotion of his career around the tactical needs of the team?" Simon is a rusted-on Panther. He's going back to 1991.

Phil Gould· Host0:39

Long time ago now. That's 35 years ago.

Mathew Thompson· Host0:42

I know.

Phil Gould· Host0:43

35 years ago.

Mathew Thompson· Host0:45

It's frightening.

Phil Gould· Host0:45

Incredible.

Mathew Thompson· Host0:46

Do you remember it? [laughs] 35 years ago.

Phil Gould· Host0:50

Yeah. He, he's testing my memory there. [laughs] Uh, yeah. I, I, I'd known Royce for a long time because, uh, Royce came down, um, from Cowra. I think he was Cowra. Pretty sure it was Cowra. Uh, oh, no, where is it? I know it, 'cause he does his walk there. Oh.

Mathew Thompson· Host1:08

Gooloogong.

Phil Gould· Host1:11

Gooloogong. Gooloogong, which I think is near Cowra. Um, 1980, I think he came down as a young player, young hooker. Um, so I'd known Royce for a long time, and he was a senior player by the time I came to coach the Panthers. Um, and he was our captain. He was a very influential player. And we went to the grand final in 1990.