Bulldogs boss Phil Gould’s bizarre Twitter habit sees him change the name of EVERY team in the NRL

Phil Gould is a legendary figure in rugby league circles – but one particular Twitter habit baffles many of his social media followers.

The Canterbury Bulldogs boss, 64, frequently refers to all 16 NRL teams by using singular nouns instead of plural ones.

So if Gould is engaging with his 35,000-plus followers about the Penrith Panthers or Cronulla Sharks, he will bizarrely label the NRL clubs ‘Panther’ or ‘Shark’.

Asked by Daily Mail Australia about his unusual grammar, his response – relayed via a colleague at the Bulldogs – was typically cutting.

‘Ha. Please. Go and write something important,’ Gould said.

Rugby league identity Phil Gould has a Twitter habit that baffles many of his followers

When engaging with his 35,000-plus followers about the Penrith Panthers or Cronulla Sharks, he will bizarrely refer to the NRL clubs as ‘Panther’ or ‘Shark’ (pictured above)

Asked by Daily Mail Australia about his grammar, Gould’s response – relayed via a colleague at the Bulldogs – was blunt. ‘Ha. Please. Go and write something important’,’ he said – just hours after calling the Sharks ‘Shark’ after their win over Manly on Thursday night (pictured)

Despite his Twitter tendency, Gould undoubtedly has one of the most astute minds in rugby league.

He is a two-time premiership-winning coach, first with Canterbury in 1988 and then three years later with Penrith.

The 64-year-old is also the most successful NSW coach in State of Origin history, winning four series in five years between 1992 and 1996.

Before entering the coaching ranks, he was a natural leader, handed the captaincy in his playing days with the Panthers aged just 20.

His insight on Channel Nine irritates some footy fans, but his knowledge of the greatest game of all is second to none.

And who doesn’t love Gus’ inspiring words in the lead-up to kick-off when NSW take on Queensland each year in State of Origin? It is pure sporting theatre.

But he doesn’t like to be criticised – the former Penrith, Newtown, Canterbury and South Sydney backrower also often responds in very blunt fashion to punters online who dare question his opinions.

Phil Gould is one of the most highly respected figures in rugby league – but he doesn’t like having his opinions questioned on social media

And if you happen to work in the media and take Gould to task, expect to be blocked on Twitter within minutes.

With Gould working behind the scenes, Canterbury were very active in the NRL off-season as they look to move on from the 2021 wooden spoon.

Expectations have lifted considerably, with Josh Addo-Carr, Matthew Burton, Matt Dufty and Tevita Pangai Junior not signing contracts to stay at the bottom of the ladder.

A top eight finish is the minimum expectation this year – and plenty of patient fans at Belmore will tell you the rebuilding phase is over. They have been starved of success – and want it now.

They currently sit in 16th spot after a slow start to the year – and despite being ravaged by Covid this week, with a host of players unavailable – a defeat against Brisbane on Friday night could see Trent Barrett the first NRL coach to be sacked in 2022.