NRL Women in League: Des Hasler’s act of kindness which wowed Gold Coast coach Karyn Murphy

When Karyn Murphy headed the NRL’s Integrity Unit hers was not a name any head coach wanted to see on their phone. But when Murphy opted for a career change it was Des Hasler who reached out to help.

(L-R) Karyn Murphy and Des Hasler.

As the head of the NRL’s integrity unit and Manly head coach, Karyn Murphy and Des Hasler weren’t exactly best mates.

Their relationship was based on mutual respect, an acknowledgment that each would be fair in carrying out their jobs.

Respected as she is, no one was particularly excited to see Murphy’s name pop up on their phone as she investigated NRL’s bad boys over a seven-year career with the NRL.

But after she made the decision to move in a new direction as NRLW coach at the Titans back in 2022, it was Hasler’s turn to surprise her with a phone call.

“When it came out that I was doing the Titans job, he reached out to me when he was still at Manly,” Murphy explains.

“Manly didn’t have a female team, but he may have done it anyway.

“But he was pretty adamant I come over and spend some time with him so he could share whatever he could to help me with the venture before I left Sydney.

“I went over to Manly, and it wasn’t just a sit down, he took me into a meeting room and he had a presentation on the big screen, sharing his coaching philosophies and what he does, and as the professional that he is, he had it all ready for me.

“It took me back a bit. It was a few hours of his time, and he didn’t have to do that.

“He let me take away some things which I definitely appreciate and still use to this day.

“And fast-track to now, he just happens to be at the Titans and I’ve got the advantage of walking down the hallway and we see each other every day.”

In the NRL’s Women in League round, few things are more powerful than influential men in the game giving their female colleagues genuine support.

Gold Coast Titans NRLW head coach Karyn Murphy.

SIDE BY SIDE

Hasler is one of the more enigmatic figures in rugby league but his support for the women’s game and Murphy in particular is outstanding.

“I’ve worked with Murph through the NRL and the integrity unit, I was really excited when she said she was forging a career path, I’ve always kept a keen interest in women’s rugby league,” Hasler says.

“It’s been great for rugby league, the whole brand of it and the actual game itself, it’s more mums, dads, sisters, brothers, uncles, cousins and friends watching the game. It’s been a win-win for everyone.

“[The Titans’ NRLW side] has started off really well because they’re playing their own brand of footy, which is good to see, they all support one another which is really good, and they all credit the people who have come before them have set the cornerstones, they’re all forever and eternally thankful.”

It trickles down from the top at the Titans, where equality between the teams is priority.

Murphy is constantly asked at board level if there’s anything she needs to succeed.

The NRL and NRLW teams share the same space, both giving respect to one another to get their work done.

“We all work closely and all co-operate, which is really good,” Hasler says.

Gold Coast NRL coach Des Hasler.

ONE OF THE GREATEST

Murphy is one of the great female trailblazers. A former Jillaroos and Queensland captain, a pioneer for the sport who is considered one of the greatest to have pulled on the green and gold.

Fittingly the medal for player of the match in the NRLW grand final is named after her.

“She’s a real institution, a great mentor and there’s lots of women doing great things in the women’s space, but she’s a really great fit. they couldn’t have picked a better person to model the women’s concept on,” Hasler says.

“You trace her history, you trace her growth and journey through women’s rugby league, she’s been there from the start.

“She doesn’t make noise about it, she’s very humble, but to have a medal named after you is a really significant point.

“She would be the first to say she gets a lot of support and she’s not the only one doing it, but she’s a real inspiration for women in league and women in sport.”

After taking over as Titans head coach in 2022, Murphy led the Titans to the NRLW grand final last season earning the nod for coach of the year at the Dally Ms.

Karyn Murphy was named NRLW Dally M Coach of the Year for 2023.

MUTUAL MENTORS

Hasler has been in her corner the whole way, the pair now working in tandem on the Gold Coast.

After it was announced he would be joining the Titans as head coach towards the end of last year, he organised with Murphy to watch the team’s NRLW semi-final at Allianz Stadium, and also came to the grand final.

“That was off his own bat,” she says.

“He came down to wish us luck and congratulate us, and it’s all in a genuine way.”

As the only female head coach in the NRLW, the support of male colleagues with decades of experience is vital to success.

Murphy is lucky enough to have plenty, including Hasler, at work every day.

“Even now he grabs me and shows me things he picks up, it’s really good for me,” she says.

“I am very fortunate, I’m very lucky to have NRL current and ex coaches who have mentored me and given me their time and advice.

“Whether it’s Des or one of the other amazing coaches, I use it in what suits me and my style.

“But I’m grateful for everything they share with me and that I can pick their brains for some of their knowledge over so many years.”