Great joins calls for shift in NRLW mentality after Gould comment
League icon Ruan Sims joined calls for teams to invest in their pathways programs amid ongoing talks about how to narrow the disparity of talent across the league.
Discussion about the league being a two-horse race between the Roosters and Broncos have ended thanks to the Titans, who have only lost one of their 10 games.
The Roosters are undefeated after 10 rounds Getty Images
The Wests Tigers have also put the two premiership winning teams to the test this season, climbing above the Broncos on the ladder heading into round 11.
While the Tigers and Titans’ success has not gone unnoticed, neither has the gap between the top four teams and the rest of the competition - even if the results have not been as one-sided on the scoreboard in each match.
The answer to fixing this issue has consistently been debated, with some suggesting a marquee signing system would help disperse talent more evenly.
But the definition of who falls under the system will be tough to make black and white, let alone trying to convince athletes to move for the better of the game.
Increasing player salaries will also not solve the issue long-term as Phil Gould noted “paying people more money doesn’t make them better footballers”.
Gould, who was speaking to Millie Elliott on Nine’s 100% Footy on Monday, then asked the Roosters star what she feels needs to be done to grow the standard of football to narrow the gap between the best teams and those newly formed sides.
Elliott feels the answer to that question lies in the choices of the clubs relating to their internal pathways and development programs for the women’s game.
“That comes into investing into coaches, the pathways ... looking at the talent pools where the girls are playing right now and also investing into the coaches who have a future for these girls,” she said.
“It is not a six-month job. Just because the season only goes for a few months and the pre-season only starts in June - you still have to have someone in the club who is invested in year round that is doing little things week in, week out.
“Someone who is doing the little stuff that gets your right up to the NRLW season. That is what John Strange does so well at the Roosters.”
Sims echoed Elliott’s plea for teams to invest in their female systems, pointing to the idea of a large portion of players in the NRLW are not full-time athletes.
The Broncos celebrate winning the 2025 NRLW premiership. Getty
Once teams invest enough in their programs to help the game reach that status then the rugby league community will begin to see the playing field even out.
“You can’t give more money and expect a result,” she said on Wide World of Sports’ NRLW Weekly.
“If you gave more money right now it wouldn’t help because you don’t have the investment in the pathways or the player’s development.
“But what money does is take you from a part-time athlete to a full-time athlete.
“You are then able to engage with your strength and conditioning more, you’re medical team more ... it also means you now have a full-time job so you can actually apply yourself to being a student of the game.
“For me, it is about (putting) significant investment into your pathways, your program, your coaching, strength and conditioning, nutrition. Investment in your program will yield significant results.
“When it becomes full-time, it will be a steep growth. If you have a livable wage and aren’t having to split your attention, I do think you’ll get better.”
Sims clarified that in no way did she feel Gould’s remark to Elliott was made with the intent to cause outrage, rather was pointing out the need for an internal shift in the priorities and investment teams have around their women’s team.
All teams need to do is look at the success of the leaders of the game, being the Roosters and Broncos, to see how simple that shift can be.
“I don’t think the NRLW needs to prove itself any more,” she continued.
“It is very clear that it has a great capacity for growth, it has great capacity for return on investment - that is where sometimes you just need people with big views and the willingness to do it for it to work.
“Clubs need to start having a look at what others are doing well. What are they doing extra to make their programs successful? Have a deep dive into that to see if you can do it to your club as well.
“Sometimes it just needs a brave approach. Look at what you want it to look at in 10 years time and make that your short-term plan.”
The NRLW plays its final round of the regular season this weekend.
