IN a career spanning more than 40 years, Phil Gould has carved out a reputation as one of the most polarising, highly-intelligent and complex figures in rugby league.

Whether playing, coaching, commentating or administrating, there are very few roads the man nicknamed “Gus” hasn’t encountered.

Right now, the Penrith Panthers plight in 2018 arguably represents one of Gould’s greatest challenges in four decades.

Perhaps that explains why sightings of Gould at Panthers training sessions — out on the field and working alongside coach Anthony Griffin — have been talked about increasingly over the summer.

Round 19

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Anthony Griffin and Phil Gould have had more training ground chats this summer. Source: News Corp Australia

The departure of young gun Bryce Cartwright last weekend has thrown the Panthers onto the hotplate as one of the biggest talking points in rugby league.

Add the Matt Moylan scenario from the end of last season and it’s easy to see why Penrith has all of a sudden become the subject of a hundred conspiracy theories.

Why, you ask?

Well, for starters, one of the pillars Gould has rebuilt the Panthers on since taking control in May of 2011 has long been one of the bread and butter staples of the club’s success — local juniors.

In 1991 and 2003 when the Panthers won premierships, it was players like Greg Alexander, John Cartwright, Mark Geyer, Craig Gower, Tony Puletua, Luke Lewis and Trent Waterhouse who were hugely influential.

The decisions to allow local juniors Moylan and then Cartwright to walk out — 12 months after signing 5-year contracts as the future faces of the club — has understandably tossed up more questions than answers.

In fairness, the reasoning behind both departures is complex and multi-layered.

Do you want two of your highest-paid players unhappy, partially committed and not necessarily always on the same page as the head coach?

What sort of example does it set to the rest of the playing group if they’re consistently trying to take short cuts?

Over the summer, the Panthers have at times trained with a game-simulated 17 as if the regular season has started.

Prior to being released, Cartwright hadn’t been making that 17.

Phil Gould departs following a press conference. Source: AAP

There is no question the Panthers premiership window is now. After two seasons where they’ve progressed to week two of the finals, it’s time to seize the day.

Let’s not forget, after the brand of football they produced at the end of 2016 Penrith went into last season as one of the premiership favourites.

When the Moylan issue raised its head towards the end of last season the rumblings began about coach Griffin and whether the playing group was entirely behind him?

Matt Moylan’s relationship with Anthony Griffin became untenable. Source: News Corp Australia

Griffin’s supporters will point out how that is always bound to happen when a star player and the coach don’t see eye-to-eye.

The Robbie Farah situation at the Wests Tigers in 2016 is another recent example.

Ultimately, that cost Jason Taylor his job.

Right now, Griffin is safe and enjoys strong support from Gould and the Panthers board room.

The Panthers coach was given a two-year extension until the end of 2020 at the club’s awards night last October, the Merv Cartwright medal.

But over the last ten years, contracts in rugby league have barely become worth the paper they’re written on.

Everyone thought Ivan Cleary was as safe as houses until the Panthers wound up fighting to avoid the wooden spoon in 2015 and bang, he was gone.

Given all the off-season departures, Griffin needs results.

Tyrone Peachey looks set to be the next Panthers gun out the door. Source: AAP

Even more so after we’ve learned Tyrone Peachey will soon become the latest Panther to be Gold Coast-bound to join Garth Brennan.

There is no way Gould would simply be letting Brennan cherrypick some of the Panthers best talent without his blessing.

Brennan spent six seasons at the Panthers and won titles in the under 20s and NSW Cup. He and Gould remain close.

Right now the “In Gus We Trust” mantra at Panthers is being questioned like never before.

As Gould knows better than anyone, winning will silence everything.