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James Phelps, The Daily Telegraph
June 4, 2017 10:25am
Subscriber only
IT has been 1851 days since Des Hasler gave his Bulldogs a spray.
“I think one is coming,’’ said Josh Morris on the eve of Hasler’s milestone game as an NRL coach.
“It would have to be close. And yeah, it is something we would all like to avoid.’’
The Sunday Telegraph this week went to Belmore searching for the secret to Hasler’s success. On Sunday the charismatic man will become the just the 10th coach in history to rack up 350 games when the Bulldogs clash with the Panthers at ANZ Stadium.
And for a man that has kicked in dressing room-doors, belted benches and covered coaching boxes in spit, surely a blast would be one of his most well used weapons?
Hasler’s personality doesn’t always come across in the media.
“Not really,’’ said Morris. “He is actually an extremely funny man.
“He has a dry sense of humour that takes a bit to get. I don’t think a lot of the young blokes even realise he is being funny at times. The old boys certainly have a chuckle at him.’’
Hasler last unleashed on the Bulldogs in 2012 when Canterbury suffered a Round 10 defeat to the Gold Coast Titans. He picked up a chair and slammed it into a wall, smashing it to bits.
“Oh he can be intimidating when he needs to be,’’ Morris said.
“The last big one was back in 2012. We were dull and playing without energy.
“From what I remember that is what tipped him off. There was yelling, personal stuff … the lot. And many off us hadn’t seen anything like that from him before. “
Hasler playing for the Sea Eagles in 1987.
The paint stripper scared the Bulldogs into form with Canterbury went on to win 12 straight games to claim their first minor-premiership since 1994.
“We were terrified of copping it again,’’ Morris said. “And no one wanted to see him blow up again.’’
Now, 264 weeks after Hasler exploded, Morris is tipping a nuclear reaction should Canterbury ruin the coach’s 350th match by making it four loses in a row.
“You would have to think another one was close,’’ Morris said.
‘There has been plenty of talk internally after last week’s game and he isn’t happy. We aren’t happy either after three loses. I reckon one is just around the corner if we don’t turn it around. As a coach you have to learn when to do it and when not to. It can certainly lose effect if it becomes the norm.’’
So what is the “norm’’ for Hasler?
Cronk hails best play of 2017
“He gets up at about 5am every day and is the first one here,’’ said former player turned media man Steve Turner.
“He is in the office by 7am and he doesn’t leave on most nights until 7pm. He will even come in at that time when it is a day off. On Friday he was here still analysing for this week’s game and also getting into next week’s against the Dragons. He is first in and last to leave.
“He leaves no stone unturned and puts in hours on end.’’
Hasler spends most of his time hauled up in a Belmore office cubicle. He sits behind a stack of messed paper, watching games on an LCD screen while tapping his keyboard.
“You don’t see much of him in the office,’’ Turner said.
“He just sticks to himself, crossing his T’s and dotting his I’s. He is the most thorough and consistent person I have ever met.’’
Hasler after leading Manly to the premiership in 2011.
Hasler is also consistently kooky.
Known as the “Mad Scientist’’, the 56 year-old is boarder line obsessive compulsive when it comes to his superstitions.
Hasler will never cut his hair while the team is winning. The former half also parks his KIA in the same car-parking spot at Belmore everyday without fail. There is no reserved sign but nobody ever dares park in the spot across from the famous Belmore stairs.
Hasler also wears a lucky suit to games, along with a pair of 27 year-old shoes.
And for the most part, Hasler has been charmed with the suit and shoes delivering him a win percentage of 58.7.
Hasler’s relationship with the media is usually frosty at best. Photo: Stephen Cooper
“He is up there with Craig Bellamy and Wayne Bennett when it comes to the best,’’ Turner said.
“His final’s record is what he shares with the others is his dedication, hard-work and thoroughness. Like Craig and Wayne he can get the best of his players.’’
Hasler’s work ethic — and success — has made him a survivor.
“He is the ultimate professional,’’ Morris said.
“He goes over everything with a fine tooth comb and with our preparation. I feel I know the opposition team pretty well and that is all the work he does throughout the week. He is also a mate as well as a mentor. A good coach needs to know when to give someone a cuddle and when to give them a spray.’’
And Morris is hoping it is all cuddles on Sunday.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...e/news-story/4aee49153e70ac5c4f4d680f6c3e6f78
June 4, 2017 10:25am
Subscriber only
IT has been 1851 days since Des Hasler gave his Bulldogs a spray.
“I think one is coming,’’ said Josh Morris on the eve of Hasler’s milestone game as an NRL coach.
“It would have to be close. And yeah, it is something we would all like to avoid.’’
The Sunday Telegraph this week went to Belmore searching for the secret to Hasler’s success. On Sunday the charismatic man will become the just the 10th coach in history to rack up 350 games when the Bulldogs clash with the Panthers at ANZ Stadium.
And for a man that has kicked in dressing room-doors, belted benches and covered coaching boxes in spit, surely a blast would be one of his most well used weapons?
Hasler’s personality doesn’t always come across in the media.
“Not really,’’ said Morris. “He is actually an extremely funny man.
“He has a dry sense of humour that takes a bit to get. I don’t think a lot of the young blokes even realise he is being funny at times. The old boys certainly have a chuckle at him.’’
Hasler last unleashed on the Bulldogs in 2012 when Canterbury suffered a Round 10 defeat to the Gold Coast Titans. He picked up a chair and slammed it into a wall, smashing it to bits.
“Oh he can be intimidating when he needs to be,’’ Morris said.
“The last big one was back in 2012. We were dull and playing without energy.
“From what I remember that is what tipped him off. There was yelling, personal stuff … the lot. And many off us hadn’t seen anything like that from him before. “
Hasler playing for the Sea Eagles in 1987.
The paint stripper scared the Bulldogs into form with Canterbury went on to win 12 straight games to claim their first minor-premiership since 1994.
“We were terrified of copping it again,’’ Morris said. “And no one wanted to see him blow up again.’’
Now, 264 weeks after Hasler exploded, Morris is tipping a nuclear reaction should Canterbury ruin the coach’s 350th match by making it four loses in a row.
“You would have to think another one was close,’’ Morris said.
‘There has been plenty of talk internally after last week’s game and he isn’t happy. We aren’t happy either after three loses. I reckon one is just around the corner if we don’t turn it around. As a coach you have to learn when to do it and when not to. It can certainly lose effect if it becomes the norm.’’
So what is the “norm’’ for Hasler?
Cronk hails best play of 2017
“He gets up at about 5am every day and is the first one here,’’ said former player turned media man Steve Turner.
“He is in the office by 7am and he doesn’t leave on most nights until 7pm. He will even come in at that time when it is a day off. On Friday he was here still analysing for this week’s game and also getting into next week’s against the Dragons. He is first in and last to leave.
“He leaves no stone unturned and puts in hours on end.’’
Hasler spends most of his time hauled up in a Belmore office cubicle. He sits behind a stack of messed paper, watching games on an LCD screen while tapping his keyboard.
“You don’t see much of him in the office,’’ Turner said.
“He just sticks to himself, crossing his T’s and dotting his I’s. He is the most thorough and consistent person I have ever met.’’
Hasler after leading Manly to the premiership in 2011.
Hasler is also consistently kooky.
Known as the “Mad Scientist’’, the 56 year-old is boarder line obsessive compulsive when it comes to his superstitions.
Hasler will never cut his hair while the team is winning. The former half also parks his KIA in the same car-parking spot at Belmore everyday without fail. There is no reserved sign but nobody ever dares park in the spot across from the famous Belmore stairs.
Hasler also wears a lucky suit to games, along with a pair of 27 year-old shoes.
And for the most part, Hasler has been charmed with the suit and shoes delivering him a win percentage of 58.7.
Hasler’s relationship with the media is usually frosty at best. Photo: Stephen Cooper
“He is up there with Craig Bellamy and Wayne Bennett when it comes to the best,’’ Turner said.
“His final’s record is what he shares with the others is his dedication, hard-work and thoroughness. Like Craig and Wayne he can get the best of his players.’’
Hasler’s work ethic — and success — has made him a survivor.
“He is the ultimate professional,’’ Morris said.
“He goes over everything with a fine tooth comb and with our preparation. I feel I know the opposition team pretty well and that is all the work he does throughout the week. He is also a mate as well as a mentor. A good coach needs to know when to give someone a cuddle and when to give them a spray.’’
And Morris is hoping it is all cuddles on Sunday.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...e/news-story/4aee49153e70ac5c4f4d680f6c3e6f78
