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thruthick&thin
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http://news.google.com.au/news/stor...sult&ct=more-results&resnum=1&ved=0CDYQqgIwAA
FORMER Broncos premiership-winning star David Stagg wants to finish his NRL career at the Bulldogs, but first has to convince new coach Des Hasler of his worth.
Stagg comes off contract at the end of the 2012 season and at 28 believes he has at least another three years left at the top level.
The former Queensland State of Origin utility has backed the Bulldogs to make the finals next season after a disappointing 2011, and if the workaholic lock is part of a dramatic climb up the ladder, a new deal should be a formality.
"We believe we have the roster to make the eight," Stagg told The Courier-Mail yesterday. "We thought the same thing before the start of the 2011 season, and that's why we were so disappointed with the way things turned out.
"Towards the end of the year we assessed the changes we needed to make and started playing the style which suited our roster."
The Bulldogs won five of their last seven matches and only missed out on the finals on percentages, with Newcastle ultimately finishing eighth.
Stagg, who played centre for Brisbane in their 2006 grand final win over Melbourne, said some of the changes implemented by Hasler since his arrival from Manly had been "a shock to the system."
Fellow Queenslander Ben Barba tweeted last month that he had never felt so exhausted and told friends it was pointless asking him to go out on the town after training.
"I've never done two field sessions on the one day until now," Stagg said. "I think a lot of the boys are in the same boat. It's not that it's so much harder. It's just that things are split up into shorter, sharper sessions, which I think is the way to go."
The turmoil at Canterbury this year, with the resignation of coach, Kevin Moore; the appointment of Jim Dymock as his replacement, then Hasler's arrival after he was sacked by Manly, is something foreign to Stagg who played six seasons at the Broncos under the coaching of Wayne Bennett.
"It's been a whirlwind six months, if that's the way to put it," Stagg said. "When Des arrived it was like having your first day at school again.
"Obviously it's an important year, not just for me, because a number of other players are coming off contract.
"With a new coach on board there are plenty of people wanting to impress and do everything right. Hopefully I've got a few years left, and I would like to stay at the club. I've enjoyed my time here."
Stagg knows he has to maintain high standards, particularly as he tips big things for under-20s lock Dale Finucane from Bega, who has been promoted to the NRL squad.
"There are a lot of good backrowers coming through," Stagg said. "Josh Jackson is a Junior Kangaroo and another top prospect."
FORMER Broncos premiership-winning star David Stagg wants to finish his NRL career at the Bulldogs, but first has to convince new coach Des Hasler of his worth.
Stagg comes off contract at the end of the 2012 season and at 28 believes he has at least another three years left at the top level.
The former Queensland State of Origin utility has backed the Bulldogs to make the finals next season after a disappointing 2011, and if the workaholic lock is part of a dramatic climb up the ladder, a new deal should be a formality.
"We believe we have the roster to make the eight," Stagg told The Courier-Mail yesterday. "We thought the same thing before the start of the 2011 season, and that's why we were so disappointed with the way things turned out.
"Towards the end of the year we assessed the changes we needed to make and started playing the style which suited our roster."
The Bulldogs won five of their last seven matches and only missed out on the finals on percentages, with Newcastle ultimately finishing eighth.
Stagg, who played centre for Brisbane in their 2006 grand final win over Melbourne, said some of the changes implemented by Hasler since his arrival from Manly had been "a shock to the system."
Fellow Queenslander Ben Barba tweeted last month that he had never felt so exhausted and told friends it was pointless asking him to go out on the town after training.
"I've never done two field sessions on the one day until now," Stagg said. "I think a lot of the boys are in the same boat. It's not that it's so much harder. It's just that things are split up into shorter, sharper sessions, which I think is the way to go."
The turmoil at Canterbury this year, with the resignation of coach, Kevin Moore; the appointment of Jim Dymock as his replacement, then Hasler's arrival after he was sacked by Manly, is something foreign to Stagg who played six seasons at the Broncos under the coaching of Wayne Bennett.
"It's been a whirlwind six months, if that's the way to put it," Stagg said. "When Des arrived it was like having your first day at school again.
"Obviously it's an important year, not just for me, because a number of other players are coming off contract.
"With a new coach on board there are plenty of people wanting to impress and do everything right. Hopefully I've got a few years left, and I would like to stay at the club. I've enjoyed my time here."
Stagg knows he has to maintain high standards, particularly as he tips big things for under-20s lock Dale Finucane from Bega, who has been promoted to the NRL squad.
"There are a lot of good backrowers coming through," Stagg said. "Josh Jackson is a Junior Kangaroo and another top prospect."
