There was a wink from a heavily trimmed Gus Gould, a bobbing head from Fatty Vautin, and the infamous Johnathan Thurston laugh that can only mean one thing: footy is back.
While the official launch of the NRL season in Sydney was halted due to ongoing collective bargaining negotiations, the Channel Nine season launch in Brisbane saw some of the biggest names in the game emerge.
The likes of Darren Lockyer, Billy Slater and even recently retired Channel Nine personality and rugby league icon Wally Lewis were at the event overlooking the Brisbane River to promote the 2023 season.
Phil ‘Gus’ Gould at the launch of Channel Nine’s 2023 NRL coverage. He looked massively slimmed down at the event where he revealed his recent weight loss
Footy guru Phil ‘Gus’ Gould (pictured in April 2019) is a two-time premiership winning coach, first with Canterbury in 1988 and then three years later with Penrith
MC James Bracey said he shared the same plane as Thurston to get to the event and the former Cowboys, Queensland and Australia champion hadn’t stopped grinning since.
“Are you looking forward to the footy?” Bracey asked. ‘It’s actually taken too long, I’m over cricket,’ he said.
“There are so many storylines this year, so I’m looking forward to seeing how the year unfolds.”
Thurston famously kicked the game-winning field goal that led the North Queensland Cowboys to their first ever NRL premiership in 2016 and, although he is retired, his former side remains his favorite to take home the Provan-Summons trophy in 2023.
“They’re 12 months older again, wiser. As long as they can keep everyone at the park they should have a good year.”
One of the biggest changes to the NRL for the 2023 season is the addition of The Dolphins as the 17th franchise, which also means the competition will run for 31 weeks.
Felise Kaufusi is one of the big names to join the new franchise after an award-winning career with the Melbourne Storm and is looking forward to seeing what the new kids can bring to the table.
Paul Lockyer, Sam Thaiday and Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin at the launch of Channel Nine’s 2023 NRL coverage
The infamous Johnathan Thurston laugh was also on display – which can only mean one thing – footy is back
Reece Walsh and Billy Walters speak with Denan Kemp at the launch of Channel Nine’s 2023 NRL coverage
“It’s been a long time coming, 75 years in the making,” he said.
However, it was the arrival of Gould and Vautin to the microphone to speak about State of Origin that sent the audience into hysterics.
Gould revealed his recent major weight loss and Vautin, affectionately known as “Fatty,” asked, “Who is this?” Slim Gould?’
The duo shared anecdotes about Origin, with Gould’s only series loss as coach in 1995 being caused by Vautin’s unheralded Queenslanders.
“It was my job as a coach to tell them they were good enough,” said Vautin.
“And then we’d get on the p***. “I remember being with City Rowers and I’m not a big drinker, six middies will normally pull me up.
Jonathan Thurston, Reece Walsh, Felise Kaufusi and Brian Kelly at the Friday event
Sam Thaiday and the Dolphins, from left Sean O’Sullivan, Felise Kaufusi and Cody Nikorima
Ruan Sims, Millie Boyle and Ali Brigginshaw at the launch of Channel Nine’s 2023 NRL coverage in Brisbane on Friday night
“I’ve had like 18 schooners and I even fell to the floor at 2am in the nightclub.
“I woke up at 3am and the same six men, Gary Larson, Gilly (Trevor Gillmeister), Tony Hearn were there to guard me. That’s camaraderie.’
The launch was also a turning point for the NRLW, with the expansion of the women’s game to nine rounds plus semi-finals and a grand final, plus two State of Origin games.
Newcastle Knights premiership winner Millie Boyle promised they would stream a third match live from a paddock if a decider was needed.
“I think the best thing about it (expansion) is there are teams outside our metropolitan area in North Queensland and the Raiders as well,” she said. “We will see a lot of talent from those regions coming through the ranks.”
