Des Hasler has suddenly changed his tune and is talking up Manly’s chances ahead of Friday night’s NRL grudge match with his Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium.
Hasler was notorious for playing down Manly’s prospects during his seven years at Brookvale, but now the Canterbury coach insists the Sea Eagles are the team others should look to emulate.
“This week we’re up against the benchmark side and even the markets are saying that,” Hasler said – just two weeks after referring to Melbourne as the NRL’s benchmark outfit.
“They are the reigning premiers, they are a champion side and no doubt they will be buoyed by getting Glenn Stewart back, Kieran Foran and Brett Stewart back from injury as well.
“They are not bad additions to have, so it all augers well for a great game of footy.”
The Sea Eagles have looked a shadow of the consistent outfit that were crowned premiers last October, having been beaten by lowly Parramatta and Gold Coast in two of their past three games to be sitting in eighth spot on the ladder with a 3-4 record.
However, Hasler believes his former side have done well to cope without the Stewarts, Foran and Tony Williams, who is midway through a seven-game ban for his dangerous throw on Cronulla’s Isaac De Gois.
“They’ve had a tough road trips to beat the Warriors in the grand final replay, beat the premiership favourites the Tigers and managed really well,” Hasler said.
“They’re in the eight and they have just about have their full roster back.
“They’ve had injury and suspension and that is hard for any team and they have coped pretty well.”
Hasler also denied that his intimate knowledge of his former players would benefit his Bulldogs squad or make it easier for them to secure a victory.
“We can tip them and get them ready, but it’s about what happens out there,” he said.
“It’s down to the individual and how they react at certain situations and that is why the comp is so close.”
The Bulldogs’ recent form has been patchy after a storming start to the season with three straight wins.
However, Hasler was pleased with the application in their narrow 12-6 defeat against the unbeaten Storm and believes there were signs of progress for his new side.
“We’re buoyed and took a lot of confidence from the manner in which we played against Melbourne where we competed admirably,” he said.
“But the reality is that we are 1-4 for the last month our focus in getting back in the winners’ circle and I think you can expect a fast, open game of football.”
