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    Phil Gould erupts at AFL Grand Final farce

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    By Ben Talintyre

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    Phil Gould erupts at AFL Grand Final farce

    Historically, the NRL preliminary finals have been staged 24 hours apart, on Friday and Saturday the week before the grand final.

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    However, this year, the first team to qualify will have two extra days to rest and recover, which is an even bigger advantage than usual heading into the big dance.

    That decision was made to not clash with the AFL grand final. But Gould has slammed the decision, labelling it unfair.

    “They are gonna get an extra two days of recovery leading into the grand final,” Gould said on Wide World of Sports’ Six Tackles With Gus.

    “That’s huge at this time of year, absolutely huge. That’s again one of the vagaries in our game that we just overlook and say that’s OK, we will just have to put up with it.

    “I really don’t think it’s fair.”

    Gould’s co-host, Mat Thompson, pointed out the decision to give the AFL a stand-alone day.

    But Gould doubled down, saying then both could be moved to Sunday, rather than one Friday and the other Sunday.

    “Bugger the AFL grand final. Play them both (the NRL prelims) on Sunday, I don’t care. Play them both on Friday night, I don’t care, he continued.

    “I think a 48-hour advantage for the Storm or Sharks leading into the grand final is huge. That’s not fair, that’s not even.”

    Gould’s comments come as Ivan Cleary also expressed his frustration with the schedule.

    “It’s definitely unfair. But it is what it is,” Cleary said regarding the scheduling.

    “There are all different ways you can look at it. At the end of the day, if that’s our problem next week, I’ll be pretty happy.”

    But before it becomes an issue for Penrith, they will need to get past Brisbane, which is no easy task given their strong form in the back end of the season.

    While on Friday night, Melbourne will host Cronulla at AAMI Park.

    The winner of each game will face off next Sunday in the NRL Grand Final.

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