So … will Des Hasler see out the 2012 season as Manly coach?
I'm certain he'll stay, and will be as determined as ever. Maybe even more so. The only way he won't last is if we get off to a shocking start.
Will we be successful in 2012? That depends on our definition of success!
People are saying even Bennett couldn't do it - coach a team to success after telling his players he was leaving. Illawarra sure fell away as the year went on. But how much of that was because Bennett was moving to Newcastle? They might have faded regardless of that. It's no easy feat to maintain the highest standard over a long period of time. And don't forget, Illawarra actually started this year so impressively that one bookmaker paid out on them as minor premiers before June. A publicity stunt, but their early form was undeniably solid.
Strangely, the secret to going back-to-back may lie in not playing our best footy from the start of the season. Instead, get some basics in place, re-institute the work ethic from scratch, but aim only to keep within striking distance till the second half of the season.
This would have the two-fold benefits of taking the pressure off the players (a bit lower on the radar, block out the pressure to play like champions every week) and also minimise our rep commitments mid-year.
But it would put the pressure firmly on Des. However I reckon he is up to it, he can take the extreme heat that would come from a modest start to the year. He wants to go out a winner on his own terms, and I believe he wants to leave the club he loves in the strongest possible condition. Certainly the players would love nothing more than to send him out a winner. So – my long range forecast – Manly to come home with a wet sail and win the comp from 4th position.
PS Dymock to take Dogs to finals on a coaching minimum wage, Des then negotiates out of his 2013 Dog contract to take over as NSW SOO coach. All's well that ends well.
I'm certain he'll stay, and will be as determined as ever. Maybe even more so. The only way he won't last is if we get off to a shocking start.
Will we be successful in 2012? That depends on our definition of success!
People are saying even Bennett couldn't do it - coach a team to success after telling his players he was leaving. Illawarra sure fell away as the year went on. But how much of that was because Bennett was moving to Newcastle? They might have faded regardless of that. It's no easy feat to maintain the highest standard over a long period of time. And don't forget, Illawarra actually started this year so impressively that one bookmaker paid out on them as minor premiers before June. A publicity stunt, but their early form was undeniably solid.
Strangely, the secret to going back-to-back may lie in not playing our best footy from the start of the season. Instead, get some basics in place, re-institute the work ethic from scratch, but aim only to keep within striking distance till the second half of the season.
This would have the two-fold benefits of taking the pressure off the players (a bit lower on the radar, block out the pressure to play like champions every week) and also minimise our rep commitments mid-year.
But it would put the pressure firmly on Des. However I reckon he is up to it, he can take the extreme heat that would come from a modest start to the year. He wants to go out a winner on his own terms, and I believe he wants to leave the club he loves in the strongest possible condition. Certainly the players would love nothing more than to send him out a winner. So – my long range forecast – Manly to come home with a wet sail and win the comp from 4th position.
PS Dymock to take Dogs to finals on a coaching minimum wage, Des then negotiates out of his 2013 Dog contract to take over as NSW SOO coach. All's well that ends well.