Bulldogs stars Josh Jackson, Michael Lichaa want coach Des Hasler to re-sign

CANTERBURY stars Josh Jackson and Michael Lichaa have thrown their support behind coach Des Hasler, urging the NRL club to re-sign the veteran mentor.

Coach Des Hasler during a training session. Picture. Phil Hillyard

CANTERBURY stars Josh Jackson and Michael Lichaa have thrown their support behind coach Des Hasler, urging the NRL club to re-sign the veteran mentor.

Hasler is off-contract at the end of the year and 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”.

But NSW Origin star Jackson said on Wednesday he hoped the matter would be resolved sooner rather than later.

“It would be good if it happened soon,” Jackson said.

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Des Hasler watches on during the Bulldogs’ training session. Pic: Phil Hillyard

“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, first in wet conditions to Melbourne, and then to the Sydney Roosters last weekend by six and four points respectively.

They risk going 0-3 for the first time in 21 years if they lose to the Warriors in Dunedin on Friday, and after dropping the past four games of last year, it would mark the longest losing streak of Hasler’s coaching career.

But Jackson insisted the side wasn’t far away from refinding the form that has taken them to the last five finals series under Hasler.

“We’ve been in the contest, we’ve lost both those games by a try,” he said. “It’s just putting the 80 minutes together. Once we get that first win I’m sure we’ll get the confidence and we’ll string a few together.”

Jackson is one of the Bulldogs’ more consistent performers and the team put in an improved effort against the Roosters in Round 2. Pic: Getty Images

The club has also embarked on a new attacking structure this season, which has seen halves Josh Reynolds and Moses Mbye receiving more ball.

There were clear signs of improvement in their 28-24 loss to the Roosters last Thursday, while hooker Lichaa has also been given the freedom to run the ball out of dummy-half more.

And Lichaa said while his first priority had to be to ensure his own contract was renewed at the end of the year, he also was keen to see Hasler stay at the club.

“He’s an unbelievable coach, everyone knows that,” he 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.”