Bulldogs stars want Hasler future sorted
Mar 15, 2017 - 1:27 AM Canterbury star Josh Jackson has urged the NRL club to re-sign off-contract coach Des Hasler sooner rather than later.Hasler hasn't missed the finals in the past 12 years as an NRL coach but the Bulldogs' lacklustre form at the end of last season originally put him under pressure at the club.
The veteran mentor reportedly wants to extend his stay at the club until at least the end of 2019, however no official signing has been forthcoming, with Hasler last week saying discussions were "progressing".
NSW Origin star Jackson said on Wednesday he hoped the matter would be resolved quickly.
"It would be good if it happened soon," Jackson said.
"He's pretty vital to the club and what we have achieved in the past and moving forward as well."
The Bulldogs have dropped their opening two games of the season to Melbourne and the Sydney Roosters by six and four points respectively.
They risk losing their opening three games of the season for the first time in 21 years if they lose to the Warriors in Dunedin on Friday.
After dropping the last four games of last year, a defeat would also mark the longest losing streak of Hasler's coaching career.
Jackson insisted the side weren't far from re-finding the form that has taken them to the finals every year since Hasler's arrival in 2012.
"We've been in the contest, we've lost both those games by a try," he said.
"Once we get that first win I'm sure we'll get the confidence and we'll string a few together."
One of the biggest question marks of Hasler's time at the club has been the team's inability to convert chances close to the line.
A modified attacking set up this year has had halves Josh Reynolds and Moses Mbye receiving more ball, with hooker Michael Lichaa given more freedom to run out of dummy-half.
Last weekend's 28-24 loss to the Roosters marked the first time the team had topped 20 points in seven outings, and Lichaa said there had been clear signs of improvement.
"I think our attack is coming along well. We're throwing the ball around," Lichaa said.
"With Josh and Moses I think they've been getting their hands on the ball a lot more.
"I think I saw something the other week where Josh and Mo had nearly double the touches they did last year. That says something in itself."
Lichaa is off-contract at the end of the year and while he said his first priority had to be his own deal, he was also keen to see Hasler stay at the club.
"He's an unbelievable coach, everyone knows that," Lichaa said.
"It's kind of laughable for the players that (there is talk) he's getting the flick or something like that.
"You could ask any of the boys that have re-signed, Des is obviously a big reason that they have."
Source: AAP
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