Dogs boss hails star enforcer Klemmer

with North Queensland Cowboys player

DES Hasler reckons the State of Origin series was the making of David Klemmer as a bona fide NRL star.

While NSW suffered an epic meltdown in the Origin decider, giant forward Klemmer left a lasting impression on the Maroons in his first interstate series.

Ahead of tonight’s clash against Parramatta, Canterbury coach Hasler said his 21year- old enforcer came of age over his three Origin games.

“It’s been a great experience for Dave,” he said.

“David doesn’t over complicate things. That’s the most refreshing thing about Dave. He just gets on, gets the job done. I thought he had a great series. He’s really established himself as a player.”

Klemmer returned to his role off the bench in the Bulldogs’ loss to Brisbane last week after the return of skipper James Graham.

Klemmer is an Eels product, having played his junior football with the All Saints Toongabbie Tigers in the Parramatta local league.

But the Bulldogs quickly snapped up the fiery frontrower at age 15, adding to the lengthy list of Eels juniors now plying their trade for other clubs.

Blues No. 7 Trent Hodkinson has been reunited with former NSW five- eighth Josh Reynolds in the halves, pushing rising star Moses Mbye to the bench.

Hasler also moved to praise this week’s opposition for keeping themselves in finals contention despite a season riddled with off- field controversies, including the Kieran Foran contract saga and the salary cap breaches that resulted in the thirdheaviest fine in NRL history.

“They’ve been going very well. They’ve just been going along quietly,” he said of the Eels. “The playing group have stuck really close, which is good to see, and Brad’s got them playing well and with a bit of belief.”