PHIL Gould didn’t have to say anything to rile up Melbourne Storm supporters during the NRL grand final.

The Panthers supremo’s commentary on Channel 9 has been heavily criticised by footy commentators and AFL stars.

Former Carlton Champion Brendan Fevola led the outcry to Gould’s commentary where he was accused of being salty towards the Storm’s success.

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It comes after Gould was heavily criticised during the week for labelling the Storm “overrated” on his weekly podcast.

“I think they’ve sort of been overrated a little bit,” Gould said.

“I know they finished a long way in front in the premiership ladder, but if you look at their two finals games I think they were pretty fortunate in both.”

Storm supporters were quick to remind the rugby league guru about his declaration that the Storm were beatable in the NRL decider.

Gould never appeared to be overly critical of the Storm during their 34-6 grand final triumph, but Storm supporters believe he failed to offer up the praise the team deserved after running away with the minor premiership and comfortably smashing the Cowboys and Broncos in the last two weeks of the finals.

Nothing better then hearing Gus Gould trying to make excuse about every team the storm plays. Suck it up Gus the @storm are the Greatest 🏆 — Brendan Fevola (@BrendanFevola25) October 1, 2017

I enjoy how much Storm winning hurts Phil Gould #NRLGF — Higgo (@Higgo74) October 1, 2017

Someone go and give Phil Gould a hug. #NRLGF — Adam White (@White_Adam) October 1, 2017

Seriously, if an AFL caller was as ridiculously hostile to a particular team as Gould is, they'd last five minutes. It's comical. #NRLGF — Rohan Connolly (@rohan_connolly) October 1, 2017

You can tell Gus Gould respects this Storm outfit but he only admits it out loud through gritted teeth #NRLGF — Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottliebFOX) October 1, 2017

Gus Gould reluctantly trying to find positive things to say about @storm - one of the many joys of winning an @nrl grand final #PurplePride — cameron adams (@cameron_adams) October 1, 2017

What's that Gus Gould? The Storm are overrated and beatable? Sure. 😂🤣https://t.co/lLsrpvpCKq — Herald Sun Sport (@heraldsunsport) October 1, 2017

Good judge Gus Gould 😳 jog on pal ... Storm have been above average consistently all season. Brilliant season & now premiers #NFLGF https://t.co/CVLO8OzUPA — Bryce McGain (@BryceMcGain18) October 1, 2017

Still think they are over-rated Gus? #NRLGF — Greg Davis (@GregDavis_cmail) October 1, 2017

Gus and everyone else in Sydney! https://t.co/pVHPHpTYH5 — Nate Tomlinson (@Nate_Tomlinson) October 1, 2017

Phil, is there ever any danger you could ever say one single positive thing about the Storm? Just once? Maybe? Even when we score — Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) October 1, 2017

Could he have sounded any flatter? — Julian de Stoop (@JDESTOOP80_FOX) October 1, 2017

Gould did praise the Storm in the first half and said their lift in intensity and execution in the grand final was noticeable from their performances earlier in the finals series.

“The Storm are just playing at a different pace tonight,” he told Channel 9.

“Not only a different pace to the Cowboys, but a different pace to what they have played for about a month, I reckon. They certainly brought their A-game tonight. You can see the difference between what tonight’s performance is like, and what they have been doing in recent times. Really lifted for the big one.”

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However, he also raised concern over the Storm’s much-discussed tackling techniques after they gave away four straight penalties camped on their own line.

“They call it the clamp zone and Melbourne Storm have been good at it for years,” he said. “Clamping down the opposition attacking game with the real strength of their attack and wrestle. With the big scoreline in their favour they will continue to try to frustrate the Cowboys and the referee.”

Gould two weeks ago received criticism from AFL legend Garry Lyon, who accused the Channel 9 veteran and the “Sydney mafia” of being biased against the Storm.

“If Gus Gould wasn’t barracking for Parramatta to get over the line then I’m not here,” Lyon told SEN.

“It was almost nauseating to me. For some reason, we don’t play in the NRL’s face too much. I think there is enormous envy about the Melbourne Storm from the Sydney football mafia.

“That includes the commentators, high profile NRL-type people. I reckon there is genuine envy that this side down in Melbourne — and there was the salary cap drama early — are just sticking it to these traditional clubs and they hate it.

“The commentary comes out too during State of Origin. Those are the only games I watch — Melbourne Storm and State of Origin and I reckon you can tell who is NSW and who is Queensland.”

The Storm had the final say with a 34-6 win over the Cowboys — their second premiership in six years.

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Originally published as Storm fans hit back at NRL guru Gould