Manly Sea Eagles hooker Matt Ballin has revealed that he first found out about Des Hasler's abrupt departure to Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs from a fellow tourist when on holiday.

"The most recent news was when we were all away on holiday," Ballin said.

"I was away with the family and just another tourist came up to me and said you've lost your coach next year.

"I said I think you're wrong, he's going in [20]13, but obviously it all unfolded in the last week. It's been a bit of a shock."

Ballin, who played in every game for Manly as they won their second NRL title in four years, was reluctant to blame Hasler or the club for the embarassing move.

"It's not the club's fault," he said. "The club contacted the players and did all the appropriate things so they're not to be faulted at all. It's just because we were away on holidays and somep eople couldn't be contacted.

Ballin did admit, however, that he hadn't heard from his former coach since just after the grand final.

"It was just after the grand final before our presentation night. That was the last time we spoke and that was when he was leaving in '13, but obviously it's all sort of unfolded and since then he's going next year, so it's a little disappointing but sometimes that's just the way footy happens.

"It's part of life, players leave and coaches leave so the playing group and club will deal with it and ... make a positive out of it.

"Geoff Toovey gets his chance and that's a great thing for the club."

The diminutive hooker had nothing but praise for Hasler, and said he didn't hold a grudge against anyone who decided to follow the mentor to the Bulldogs.

"He was a great leader. He put a lot of confidence in his players and gave the players a lot of his time and effort so the club is very thankful to Des and wish him the best in the future.

"Each player has an individual decision to make.

"When you win a couple of competitions and the team has really good players, players are bound to leave.

"I'm not sure how everyone else has been with it but I'm sure the team will be strong together and we'll move on and hopefully do really well in 2012."

http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/nrl-premiership/manly-sea-eagles-hooker-matt-ballin-foud-out-about-des-hasler-quitting-when-fellow-tourist-told-him/story-fn2mcuj6-1226198357570

Dan79 said the following on Fri Nov 18 8:13 2011

It is such a revealing story. The headline should read balin difficult to contact on holidays. They are running low on ideas Next headline will be Igor not part of the decision making process.

weev said the following on Fri Nov 18 8:16 2011

Doesn't sound like he's storming off to his agent.

manlyfan. said the following on Fri Nov 18 8:16 2011

Some of the less "media popular" players in the team seem to have been put on the back-burner with the Hasler affair. I've come to appreciate Ballin in the last couple of seasons, I thought he lacked a little creativity from dummy half for a few years but now I see him as a quiet achiever, the kind of hooker that every successful team needs.

Moondog said the following on Fri Nov 18 9:36 2011

"The diminutive hooker". He's not that small is he? Makes him sound like an immoral midget.

The Eagle said the following on Fri Nov 18 9:50 2011

Spelling mistake is a blight on the news feed.....

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