Hasler shuts out the media
BELMORE Oval appeared to go into lockdown yesterday as Bulldogs coach Des Hasler punted TV cameras from training after just four minutes.
Hasler stood with his arms crossed and looked deep in thought about how to get his players to bounce back in time for tomorrow night’s clash with Brisbane.
Despite the TV networks being allocated the standard 15 minutes to film players warming up, Hasler pulled the plug quickly.
He later said it was a misunderstanding because of the short five-day turnaround, and there was no harm meant.
Pressure is clearly building on Hasler as he tries to avoid a fourth loss in five rounds at ANZ Stadium.
As the two-time premiership-winning coach and the Canterbury board continue to hold off announcing his new deal, the players said the renewed speculation about their coach’s immediate future had not been a distraction for them.
Aiden Tolman, who brings up 200 NRL games against the Broncos, said it could not have got much worse than game No.199 against Manly last Saturday.
“I’d say it was right up there in terms of it being demoralising,’’ Tolman said.
“It was a dire affair at Brookvale, we weren’t good, we were terrible in a lot of parts of the game, and they steamrolled us – they were too good and that battle in the middle was dominated by them.
“Let’s hope we can put it down to one of those games and we can move on.’’
“It’s still a long season, and what better way to turn it around against the Broncos.’’
As for Hasler, Tolman said: “We know within these walls what we can and can’t do, and that’s all that matters.
“We’re the only ones in control of our destiny, we know what we’re capable of if we play to our potential, and we need to do that Thursday night.
“Of course we (want Hasler to extend his deal).
“There are not many better coaches in the game than Des Hasler. We’ve let him down to finish off the season last year and to start the season this year.
“That can only be turned around by results, and we know that. If we win, this will all go away, if we don’t, things will happen, for us it’s in our hands.’’