Nervy phone call to legend landed Hasler at Manly

2 years ago 109

Des Hasler's departure from Manly past week volition spell down successful rugby league folklore - but his accomplishment astatine the club, which has ne'er been revealed, is each spot arsenic fascinating.

Way backmost successful 1983, Hasler was a schoolhouse teacher and part-time footballer with Penrith.

Hasler had a fistful of games successful the apical people but the Panthers yet didn't complaint him and his papers were marked "never to play archetypal people again".

He recovered himself connected the seat for 3rd people - and his vocation was connected the skids astatine the property of 22.

Only 1 newsman covered the little grades backmost successful those days - a naive young journo from Rugby League Week besides trying to marque the people … me!

I remembered 1 time that play successful 1983 I turned up astatine Campbelltown astatine noon to ticker the Panthers play Newtown successful each 3 grades.

Newtown was successful power of the third-grade game, until the Penrith manager told Hasler to get disconnected the seat and spot what helium could do.

Dessie, a super-fit athlete, ran retired there, scored 2 solo tries and won Penrith the game.

After the lucifer I went up to him successful the sheds and said, "Mate, you are excessively bully to beryllium connected the seat for 3rd grade. Call maine astatine the extremity of the twelvemonth and I'll find you different club".

Des grunted and nodded, and I thought that was the extremity of the matter.

But definite enough, astir a week aft the play finished, my telephone astatine RLW rang and a shy dependable said, "Tony, it's Des Hasler here, I was wondering if I could instrumentality you up connected that offer".

I said "sure", and rang conscionable astir each nine successful the aged Sydney contention offering Des' services, virtually for free. All helium wanted was a chance.

Most replies were either "not interested" oregon "Des WHO?".

Rugby occupation blows spread successful Manly’s Seibold plans

I called Des and told him the atrocious quality and helium replied, "Have you tried Manly? I conscionable got a teaching occupation successful the country truthful it would beryllium handy".

I had NOT tried Manly, for 1 crushed - I was terrified of the Sea Eagles coach, the large Bob Fulton.

As a cub reporter, I didn't privation to ringing an Immortal of the crippled and legendary, hard taskmaster and suggest helium motion a player. But erstwhile Des pleaded, I did.

Bozo's reply floored me. "Oh yeah, I cognize that kid. He played against america past twelvemonth and went well. I can't judge Penrith won't springiness him a go. Tell him to travel implicit to Brookvale adjacent play for an interior proceedings we've got on, and archer him to bring his boots with him … and acknowledgment for the tip!".

I conveyed the quality to Des, helium was delighted, went and had a tally astatine Brookie, scored different 2 tries … and ne'er looked back.

Des went connected to play much than 250 games for Manly and manager much than 300, winning 2 premierships arsenic a subordinate and a further 2 arsenic a coach.

Quirky, antithetic and driven, the nickname 'The Mad Professor' suited him good - and I was delighted to play a tiny portion successful his improvement from chartless to Manly legend.

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