Head Coach Des Hasler will be looking at his 11th consecutive finals appearance this year and the players have been asked what is it with Des and the finals?
Hasler’s first finals appearance as a coach came in the 2005 finals series, in only his second year as an NRL Coach and since then has not missed a finals series when at the helm of both the Sea-Eagles and the Bulldogs.
His record in finals stands at 13 wins from 22 appearances, including five Grand Final appearances and two premierships.
Hasler is one of the hardest working and dedicated coaches the game has seen in recent times and as the Bulldogs approach the 2015 finals series with two games of the regular season left, what is it with Des and finals?
“Players just love playing for Des,” said Josh Jackson.
“He’s a good bloke off the field and really takes care of his players, which I guess he gets the best out of his players that way.”
Meanwhile, lock forward Greg Eastwood believes Des doesn’t change a lot, but just knows how to get the best out of you come this time of the season.
“Not too much has changed for Des, but I guess he knows how to get the best out of you coming up to finals and it has shown in our game in recent weeks,” Eastwood added.
Since Hasler’s arrival at Belmore for the start of the 2012 season, the Bulldogs have gone from strength to strength and it culminated in a contract extension in 2014.
His original three-year deal was due to expire after the 2015 season, but the club said it had made retaining him a priority and Bulldogs Chief Executive Raelene Castle at the time said the extension gives certainty to the playing group and would bring benefits in terms of future player recruitment.
"Des has brought a level of professionalism and innovation to this Bulldogs that could rival any of the top sporting organisations in the world," Castle said.
"Des and I have built a relationship built on trust and respect and we'll continue to work together to achieve the best we can for this Club.
