The Mole: 'Spy' Phil Gould's 12-month mission to prepare Bulldogs for bright Vegas lights
Phil Gould is the ace up Canterbury's sleeve in the countdown to Sunday's huge season opener against the Dragons.
While the whole Vegas experience is totally new to the Bulldogs players and coach Cameron Ciraldo, Gould knows all about it.
Always one step ahead of the pack, Gould was in Vegas last year as a 'spy', craftily taking mental notes of the build-up, the hype and the way the games were played on a smaller field under a roof.
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"Gus has been invaluable to us with everything he picked up 12 months ago," Ciraldo told Wide World of Sports.
"Just having been a part of it all, seen all the craziness in the build-up and how the teams handled game day.
Canterbury general manager of football Phil Gould. Getty
"Before we even left Sydney, he told us what to expect and gave us tips on how to deal with it.
"He told us to enjoy it, but that there will be a lot of distractions and not to let them get to us.
"Vegas is such a unique experience and we know we have to put everything else out of our heads once the whistle blows and play our best footy.
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"The Dragons have plenty of class players so we know we have to be on our game."
Meanwhile, in the other match, Knights coach Justin Holbrook will create a bit of Vegas league history that could give his team the edge over the Cowboys.
Holbrook is the first man to coach in Sin City twice, having been Trent Robinson's assistant at the Roosters in the inaugural Vegas NRL double header in 2024.
"We had a great time - it was a bit different in that we were based for most of the lead-up week in Los Angeles that time," Holbrook said.
"It was a good mix but I also like spending the whole week in Vegas this time - it's such an amazing place.
"Did I pick up any pointers? We'll have to see," he added with a sly grin.
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