LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
In a bold move that has left fans scratching their heads, Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould has thrown some shade at Panthers' coach Ivan Cleary for leaving new recruit Blaize Talagi out of the starting lineup for the NRL opener in Las Vegas.
The young talent has been making waves after his impressive debut season with the Eels, where he showed versatility in a struggling team.
Talagi, who played five-eighth for Samoa during the international season, was expected to fill the shoes of the departing Jarome Luai.
However, Cleary has opted to go with Jack Cole as Nathan Cleary's halves partner for the clash against the Sharks, leaving Talagi on the sidelines.
It seems Talagi's recovery from shoulder surgery has hampered his preseason form, with teammates noting he is still adjusting to his new position.
Gould, known for his no-nonsense approach, expressed his surprise at Cleary's decision, suggesting that Talagi should have been given the opportunity to learn on the job.
In his podcast "Six Tackles with Gus," Gould emphasized the importance of getting Talagi game time to help him adapt to his new role and grow as a player.
Time will tell whether Cleary's gamble pays off or if Talagi will eventually get his shot to shine on the field.