Even Brisbane’s Wayne Bennett can empathise with under-fire Canterbury coach Des Hasler’s plight ahead of their NRL clash at ANZ Stadium on Thursday night.
The long-time Broncos mentor admitted “the buck stops with the coach”.
But Bennett threw his support behind Hasler, saying speculation over the Bulldogs coach’s future was an “overreaction”.
The off-contract Hasler is hoping for a new two-year deal at Belmore.
However, he is under immense scrutiny following their 36-0 last round loss to Manly – their third defeat in four games.
Bennett said fellow veteran coach Hasler’s record spoke for itself.
“The buck stops with the coach – it goes with the territory,” Bennett said.
“We are in a highly competitive business and eight teams lose every week.
“(But) Des has been a long standing coach, has a great reputation in the game.
“He’s just going through a tough patch, we all go through them.”
Hasler’s future is expected to be high on the agenda when the Bulldogs board meet on Thursday, barely hours before their round-five clash.
Bennett believed Hasler deserved more than a few rounds to prove his case at the Bulldogs.
Yet Wests Tigers infamously sacked Jason Taylor after three rounds this year.
Asked if coaches deserved more than a few rounds to prove themselves, Bennett said: “You’d like to think so.
“(But the clubs) know what Jason Taylor brought, they know what Des brings, they know what I bring long before the balls are kicked off and the season starts.
“The rest is just an over-reaction sometimes.”
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The Exclusive NRL Senior Coach's Club. Des seemed very confident a contract extension will be forthcoming soon. The penny dropped. The new plan. Des and those supporting him are going to recruit and TPA their way out of trouble. Tedesco, Woods, Moses, Lolohea. I think I heard Des mutter words like "this club is well funded'. Des has sure given that a workout during his tenure. Does Des now plan to buy a premiership? There is a minor salary cap problem even after not re-signing players off contract in 2017. You would still have to get Tolman and Graham to pass the bloody pill. I am still reeling from the shock of the club having passed on the opportunity to recruit Latrell Mitchell and/ or Cameron Munster. Crusher Cleal got the chop but what responsibility falls on a coach to oversee recruitment ?