Des' Diaries

Bulldogs TV caught up with Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs head coach Des Hasler to talk about how the team is shaping up for round one against the North Queensland Cowboys.

After an arduous pre-season, Hasler is just as keen as all of us to see some rugby league.

“Yeah, it’s been a pretty arduous pre-season so I think at this stage the boys are really looking forward to playing with what is turning out to be a pretty complex season so far,” Hasler said. “It’s been a really productive one for us, looking back at where they started and where we are now, it’s a good platform to go off.”

With a number of Bulldogs unavailable due to injury and suspension, Hasler says that it provides opportunities for younger guys to come in and do a job.

“It’s about getting these opportunities isn’t it for the young blokes, you know we have a fair few that are under 23, including a couple of debuts but they’ll handle it ok.

“The Cowboys are a very experienced side, they have a great front row, probably the best player in the way of influencing a game in Jonathan Thurston and those old reliable guys as well in (Matt) Bowen and (Brent (Tate). I really like the winger Ash Graham as well, he brings a lot to them.

Hasler is looking forward to the side hitting Bluetongue Stadium and believes that if the weather is good, that it should make for some rugby league to be played.

“It’ll be a really fast paced game on hopefully a dry night and Bluetongue is an exceptional surface so you can expect to see a really open game.”

There are still plenty of tickets available so to guarantee your seat visit ticketek.com.au or on 132 849.