I am writing to you, Mr Hasler, in regards to another disappointing loss and the Bulldogs’ elimination from the semi-finals after the thumping administered by the Penrith Panthers.
I felt moved to contact you Des (may I call you Des?) as there are a few questions and concerns I have about the transparency of your tactics and people’s misinterpretations of what you are doing with the current squad.
Life-long fans are baffled by your tactics, selections, and retention decisions that appear, from the outside, to be the reasons why the team seems so far off the pace in terms of being a real premiership threat.
There must be something we are all missing here on the outer fringes, there must be some sort of master plan or blueprint that is so complex and sophisticated that the common man, such as myself, is incapable of grasping its cleverness.
Perhaps you have chosen to keep this under wraps to protect us from our own feelings of inadequacy and stupidity, that we surely would experience in trying to comprehend such a game plan.
Please tell me this is the case, otherwise I might be persuaded to think that your approach to the game is far more primal and simplistic.
Des, it appears to the layman that you are obsessed with acquiring huge, dinosaur-like forwards blessed with very little ability other than straight, hard running.
You must be so proud of Aiden Tolman, James Graham, Tim Browne and David Klemmer and the way they tirelessly launch themselves at the line. What indefatigable warriors they are. I do seem to remember Graham ball playing quite a lot a few years back, he must have lost that skill recently, as I am sure you wouldn’t have discouraged that type of thing.
Thank goodness you are able to launch big Sam Kasiano into the action after 22 minutes and 37 seconds in the first half. Introducing him at that exact time each week really does keep the opposition guessing. Bulldogs fans are also wondering why he started against the Panthers, it ruined everything.
Is this all part of a convoluted plan that I wouldn’t understand? Please let me know Des, I am dying to find out.
The red zone attack you have developed appears to be one dimensional, ineffective and predictable. I’m sure I am missing something here as well. Bashing the ball forward in the opposition 20 with slow play the balls hasn’t produced the attack we needed over the last few years, yet I know there is more to it than that.
Is it the outside backs that are letting you down? Josh Jackson seems to be the most common attacking weapon on the right fringe. This must also be part of the strategy that I am yet to fully grasp.
I know you must have something more in store for Michael Lichaa. Fifty to sixty tackles a game without running, offload or tackle bust stats surely couldn’t be the full extent of his skill set.
How unlucky were we losing Michael Ennis who, after playing a similar role to Lichaa in your team, all of a sudden learnt how to run, kick, create and put fear into opposition teams around the ruck area while playing for the Sharks.
At least it didn’t improve the Sharks too much and see them contest for a premiership.
How are we going to unlock the creativity bubbling within our halves, Josh Reynolds and Moses Mbye, who are surely just as blessed with skill as any other pairing?
Some seem to think they are restricted in both opportunity and license, yet surely their use is more technical and strategic.
Can I ask a straightforward question Des? Is Tony Williams the underworking, overpaid insult to our fans that he appears to be? I’m sure you will be able to inform me of the immense value and consistent impact that he has on the game.
Compared to yours, my football eye, and apparently pretty much everybody else’s in the rugby league community, is somewhat untrained and I am sure we are all missing what Williams brings to our left edge attack.
I know it’s not tries or line breaks and it’s certainly not tackling prowess; please let me know, as I would like to learn more about the game.
Could you also explain why he has been given scope to look elsewhere for a club despite getting picked almost every week?
In addition, I thought it was interesting to note how you asked Josh Jackson, Michael Lichaa and Greg Eastwood to tackle for Williams. This was a fascinating strategy.
I’m sure Jackson appreciated the opportunity, especially with representative commitments and hopefully he recovers well from the multiple surgeries and procedures he is undertaking in the post season.
I’m sure there was a method behind this madness – if you could explain the method it would be much appreciated.
It was disappointing to see the NRL play big finals matches on Sunday again this season. They really let us down after our signing of Will Hopoate.
I’m sure you had become aware of their new plan of playing games only on secular days designed to respect the religious beliefs of players.
Otherwise, it would have appeared that the Dogs signed a marquee man who wouldn’t play in grand finals or other big September clashes. I’m almost certain that isn’t the case.
It was also pleasing to see Dale Finucane really struggle in Melbourne, amidst the Storm’s awfully inconsistent season that saw them just scrape into the finals. I’m glad you let him go.
This was obviously part of the grand vision you have for the club and I can’t wait for your reply so that we can all share that vision and people can get off your back about our unlucky exit.
The Panthers are young and cheeky, no match for our power forwards who are most effective in semi-finals, as was abundantly clear last weekend.
I call on you Des, respond to this letter and share with the foolish masses the mastery of strategy and science that you possess.
I fear people will start to think you are a conservative coach, hell bent on using big bodies to ensure a positive win-loss column, yet lacking the courage to play an expansive game in order to threaten more attacking teams.
If people were to see the forwards as masking our attacking deficiencies it would be a shame, as would a simplistic approach to our game plan that suggests it is predictable and built on brutality.
I look forward to your response Des, and the 2017 season.
Obsvr
Guest
Actually, Foran rejected Hasler 3 times! Once to resign with Manly, then with Parra and most recently with the Warriors. Outside of overpaying Tony Williams, NOT ONE Manly player followed Hasler to the Dogs. That says all you need to know. It's one thing to coach a team....its another to control each players' skill set. Dogs 2016 attack and cohesion is worst I've seen since I started watching them...no wonder Mortimer and Lamb can't take it any longer. I'm wondering what they really do between games?? Do we have halves?? Hasler is better off playing NRL on PS2 or signing up to Supercoach.
45 year Bulldog Fan
Guest
If Canterbury ask Hasler to go this week.... He has our respect and best wishes. He will have continued success....but Williams, Lichaa have to go first and if Hasler goes ....well it is because of his errors not ours.Yes we made the finals each year and are grateful but thats not always great.....i.e. Roosters missed out this year but they will be back for sure. and Canberra, Penrith and Cronulla were all exceptional in the Finals and played innovative unpredictable football. (Not sure how many semis they have played in last few years...not many.) Melbourne and Canterbury and even the Cows were the most predictable but Melbourne players were hungrier and Cows just better. Ours were not either one. We were plain Flat. Coaches have to take responsibility for not getting the players ready and having bad game plans. Des is guilty on that this year. Kasiano starting in the Semi highlighted one of many Des errors. Its ironic Canterbury kicked out Folkes yet he was the last coach to win a comp and has 8 grandfinals as a player and coach.He could easily had 3 premierships if we were not kicked out in 2002 with 10 point Table lead and we barely lost the prelim final in 2003. Had we won 2002 we would have won that match and we killed them in 2004. IMHO..The club should reinvolve him as a Consultant or as Director of the football club and Dean Pay and Dymock are Born and Bred and Kimmorly and Ennis would be welcome additions as Assistants Just thoughts if Des is to go. I agree Back to DNA. Big Defence. Intimidation. Crisp support playing Attack. and Always backing up. Like Lamb and Barba. Thats how we win tough and fair and can be dominant again. That's Canterbury DNA.
Max Baker
Guest
Des chose most of the players he has including Tony Williams who could not knock over a bowling pin. If the players are no good Des and his staff appear not to be good judges of the available talent.
markey
Guest
Maybe it's the bad players at the bulldogs Des seemed to do pretty well at Manly Very attacking sides that won premierships . Might just be the players he's got ,they aren't that good.
Josh
Guest
You are kidding right! I watched those games he played and he was terrible. I don't know what skill you are on about but he doesn't have it to be playing 1st grade. He got belted in every tackle made no breaks. Dropped the ball multiple times. I was actually glad des dropped him. It's just a shame des didn't do it to a few other players as well
Max Baker
Guest
I agree with your appraisal of Design Hasler coaching. The bulldogs offer nothing in attack when in the opponents 20 metre zone Design Hasler has made some very poor decisions in players he has let go. Michael Leecha I believe is another Tony Williams mistake also Tim Browne is leaving to go to Penrith and Hopoate has not lived up to expectations. All our attacking players have been shackled. All the bulldogs do is bash barge then kick and the kicking game is about 5 out of 10.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Des is most certainly a character (I love his interviews) and an outstanding coach, this article is warranted as the Dogs haven't done much in the last 2 years and as a matter of a fact 'they are going backwards'. For me I cannot understand why Will Hopoate was signed and what was the logic in signing him? There were also 2 other exclusions from 2015 to 2016 in the Bulldogs ranks that I didn't understand, Ennis and Hodkinson, why?
Darren
Guest
Well said, Big and defence has to make way for mobile and attack. Where's our Moses, Brooks, Tedesco, Trbojevic, Mansour, Hate to say it, but no Premiership coming anytime soon unless a 40 year culture of defence makes way for enterprising attack by world class fullback, centre, five-eighth and nine. Hopoate's a winger at best. The Morris boys are all but finished, we have no wingers now and Reynolds has just got to go. We've just locked away Mbye for 4 years at ridiculous money which should have been spent on Trbojevic. No joy coming in the years ahead. Hard to believe it was only 4 years ago that Morris and Barba both scored 20 plus tries in a season.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Barry, as always, I really enjoy your comments and you are one of the voices on the roar that i respect unreservedly. We probably agree on so much about the dogs. In defence of the article, the tone was meant to be playful in a sense yet also meant to raise serious issues that appear to be holding the club back. I really respect Hasler as an effective coach yet i feel that the game is evolving and if you are not on the cutting edge of that curve you can be left behind. Des assembled the team and used it well to be consistently good, yet we both want more than good, Many clubs would be stoked with the consistency of success but we both expect more as dogs supporters, knowing that we are well resourced and funded. I have never suggested a sacking, another roarer seemed to have put those words in my mouth. A team without Williams and some investment in the outside backs might be the best place to start. A rethink of the halves would also be prudent. Hasler, can coach this team but he needs to move with the game, as the big bopper style has been replaced by something a lot more interesting and exciting. Do you get out to ANZ much. I am an ANZ member, would you like to catch up out there for a few drinks and some good discourse in the new year?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks for your support 45 year bulldog fan. Your point about not wanting another coach and wanting Hasler to adjust is exactly the point. Nowhere have a called for a 'sacking', as if I have the right to do that. The game can slip past some coaches at times and these days the game moves so quickly. The style Hasler wanted to play with this squad he assembled will not work. Souths experienced the same thing after their win. The game moves so quickly. Time to adapt, and as you rightfully point out, we have the pride, history, resources and expectation that demands more from our club.
The Barry
Roar Guru
To each their own but I don't think rampant sarcasm = respectful.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Stuart - I'm a long term Dogs fan as well. I understand where you're coming from on a lot of the points you make and there's no doubt a change in approach for next season is required. However the tone of your article didn't convey one ounce of respect for Hasler or his coaching record or what he's achieved at the Dogs. I've said this elsewhere on the roar - and I'm pretty sure as a passionate dogs man you'll agree - I couldn't be happier that I support a team which in the last five seasons has made five semi finals series, two grand finals and won a minor premiership, yet rather than celebrating that and resting on our laurels, we're questioning the direction of the club and the man that has lead us through those five seasons. There's plenty of clubs and fans (most of them) who would swap our last five years with theirs in a second. In terms of Des' future, I wouldn't consider moving him on unless there was a better coach available - and I don't think there is. I think it's a massive mistake (and not the Bulldogs way) to sack Hasler and then start a recruitment process without a replacement lined up. Who would the options even be? Cleary? Elliott? No thanks to either, none of them have achieved anything. Toovey? I like him but something doesn't sit right with me signing Hasler's replacement as...Hasler's replacement.
45 year Bulldog Fan
Guest
Mark. Stuart's article is excellent and you shoulkd refute his points rather than say its crap. It is not. It is thoughtful respectful (It is a letter), yes he is sarcastic but that is smarter than swearing. Which we have a right to do. This roster was good enough in theory to win but not in practice and game plan. Its time for change and for Canterbury this season review is crucial. We let a top 4 position fall away in the last 3 games. Success is measured by Premierships at Canterbury and nothing else so other supporter logic is not right. Canterbury are used to winning 1 or 2 a decade and this decade is thus far lean. Not good enough. Stuarts points are supported by facts and evidence. Moreover Des will likely read this and probably laugh but say good points fellas. Leave it with me. He is innovative but this year is not his best. I dont want another coach, none of us do, we want him to adjust and be innovative again like we were in 2012, when we really should have won it. 2013 and 2014 were strong but Inglis was a freak in 2014 and the Rabbitohs deserved their win. This year we should have finished 3rd and 7th is almost a guarantee of a week 1 or 2 exit mathematically. Canterbury are "Superclub" along with the Broncos have the highest TV ratings of any NRL side. Hige supporter bases and demand success. Canterbury are Collingwood of the NRL and do not benchmark to other clubs they benchmark to best football clubs globally and wining premierships. We are not long overdue a premiership, we must win one by being dominant. We have lost the dominance. We need speed on both wings, Klemmer, Kasiano and Jackson taking control in the opppostion 20 not Grahan and Tolman and Eastwood who waste tackles. I love those guys in the other 80m of field but not in the Opp 20. Rona was a winger and should have been retained. Lichaa must go. Reynolds to Hooker and Moses and Reynolds should be be touching it 5 times a set and watch opposition defences change. Peter Wallace switching to hooker was a master stroke and Cameron smith was a half back. Its time Reynolds went back to being hooker. He will touch it much more and he and Moses will link better. The most important relationship in the modern game is hooker to halfback (Smith to Cronk, Wallace to Cleary), not half to five eight. I'm not a coach but blind Freddy watching Queensland is all you need to watch and I follow NSW. We need more speed outwide, a regular goalkicker like Holland/Haz, Forwards like Klemmer Kas and and Jacko taking over the opp 20 with tolmand a Graham providing support, we need Moses touching it 10x more and upping the repeat set count, We need reynolds at Hooker, We need our new guys (Mariner, Lloyd Elliot et.al getting more minutes and tolls and Graham getting less. and perhaps Elliot to 5/8. The attack should be Big guys linking with smaller guys running off them aka, Terry Lamb and Cliff Lyons always backing up Kasiano and Klemmer for the offload as they run major lines in opp 20. Not big changes but just using our roster better and more innnovatively. Best to Des when he reads this.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Mark, you appear to have attempted to call me out here, unfortunately what you claim to have interpreted from the piece I did not say. I did at no stage comment on Haslers coaching record. It is excellent. No doubt. I am merely attempting to convey that he has missed the boat tactically and the game is actually evolving around him whilst he has assembled a squad that is unable to manage the speed and aggressive nature of the modern game. Essentially all you have said that the tone is BS. I can cop that, no problems, yet your belief that the Dogs will have a good year next year appears to mystify everyone who follows the club. The playing of Williams has been a pig headed coaching blunder from day one. No one could call themselves a great coach playing that man in their team each week. Thanks for your comments and for reading, I really enjoy getting the feedback.
Mark
Guest
Des has a pretty good coaching record and amongst the people who know and count (the players) he's widely acknowledged as a great coach. I don't think this article is warranted at all and the tone is bs, yes they didn't live up to expectations but as others have said, 2 GF appearances, minor premiership, and the top 8 every year is a pretty good record! Des knows things have to change, I think next year will be a good year for the dogs
Dutski
Roar Guru
Elliot had the second half of the year out with a hamstring I think. Lloyd Perret should get more games for sure too. Something has to change!
Albo
Guest
The Dogs have also picked up the young Leilua kiddie who looks full of ability , but I can't vouch for his attitude ?
bexdog
Guest
There was a 3 game stretch where Elliott dropped the ball on multiple occasions. Hasn't been sighted since. I'd give a couple of blokes a start in first grade next year ahead of him. In the 3 or 4 games of reserve grade I saw this year I thought Lloyd perret was a standout. His confidence must have been rocked by hasler but he looks like a guy willing to prove himself. That's the type of player I want to cheer. Let's see what des does with the forward rotation next year.........if he's still with us that is!
bigJ
Guest
to what are you referencing?
Dutski
Roar Guru
I'll be honest TB - I'm way biased because Elliot comes from my little town. But at 185cm and 103kg he is pretty mobile without being huge. If he can stay injury free I don't doubt he can be a gun. In this part of the world he was always seen as a more talented player than Dale Finucane, but that might be a local rivalry thing. I'm sure if you drove the 17km to Bega you'd get told that Dale's always been the better player!