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No Ben Barba and no thoughts of revenge - that's how Canterbury say they are preparing for Thursday's NRL grand final rematch against Melbourne.
Barba trained with his Bulldogs teammates on Monday for the first time since he was suspended indefinitely on February 25 over gambling and alcohol issues.
But coach Des Hasler said the club was putting Barba's welfare first and would not rush the superstar fullback into his side for the highly anticipated round three encounter at AAMI Park.
"Is he going to play against Melbourne? No he won't play," Hasler said on Monday.
"This early in the competition we won't be making any rash decisions related to Ben's welfare.
"So at the moment I can't give an answer on his immediate comeback. That will probably come midway through next week when he has got some solid training under his belt."
Hasler said the two weeks Barba had spent dealing with his issues at a private clinic had been worthwhile but he was not yet ready to return to the NRL.
"The program that Ben underwent was just fantastic for him so we are really pleased," Hasler said.
"I don't think the time away would have set him back a long way at all. In fact, it might not have set him back at all.
"Physically, he is OK so (the decision on when Barba returns) it will be made by our HP (high performance) department. And we will be making that decision halfway through next week."
Hasler said premiers Melbourne have maintained their high standards of 2012 across the opening two rounds this season which have produced wins over St George Illawarra and North Queensland.
"No thoughts of revenge ... we just want to play well down there," Hasler said.
"I don't mean to be flying under the radar but they are playing very well.
"They have picked up where they left off last year. It's a good test for us and we need to bring our `A game'. I don't think it is difficult for any side to get up for a game against Melbourne."
Five-eighth Josh Reynolds echoed Hasler's sentiments.
"Last year was a big game for us but this is just another game," he said.
"We just have to go into it with a calm mind. They are already on the ball and it is only round two."
Hasler also said Sam Kasiano and Frank Pritchard (both leg injuries) were both not yet fit to return.
Barba trained with his Bulldogs teammates on Monday for the first time since he was suspended indefinitely on February 25 over gambling and alcohol issues.
But coach Des Hasler said the club was putting Barba's welfare first and would not rush the superstar fullback into his side for the highly anticipated round three encounter at AAMI Park.
"Is he going to play against Melbourne? No he won't play," Hasler said on Monday.
"This early in the competition we won't be making any rash decisions related to Ben's welfare.
"So at the moment I can't give an answer on his immediate comeback. That will probably come midway through next week when he has got some solid training under his belt."
Hasler said the two weeks Barba had spent dealing with his issues at a private clinic had been worthwhile but he was not yet ready to return to the NRL.
"The program that Ben underwent was just fantastic for him so we are really pleased," Hasler said.
"I don't think the time away would have set him back a long way at all. In fact, it might not have set him back at all.
"Physically, he is OK so (the decision on when Barba returns) it will be made by our HP (high performance) department. And we will be making that decision halfway through next week."
Hasler said premiers Melbourne have maintained their high standards of 2012 across the opening two rounds this season which have produced wins over St George Illawarra and North Queensland.
"No thoughts of revenge ... we just want to play well down there," Hasler said.
"I don't mean to be flying under the radar but they are playing very well.
"They have picked up where they left off last year. It's a good test for us and we need to bring our `A game'. I don't think it is difficult for any side to get up for a game against Melbourne."
Five-eighth Josh Reynolds echoed Hasler's sentiments.
"Last year was a big game for us but this is just another game," he said.
"We just have to go into it with a calm mind. They are already on the ball and it is only round two."
Hasler also said Sam Kasiano and Frank Pritchard (both leg injuries) were both not yet fit to return.
He will be missed until he returns.
