Brad Parker credits master mentor Des Hasler for helping Manly reclaim their famed resilience
Brad Parker says Des Hasler has taken Manly to some dark places physically and mentally but he credits the master mentor for helping the Sea Eagles reclaim the club’s famed resilience.
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Brad Parker says Des Hasler has taken Manly to some dark places physically and mentally but he credits the master mentor for helping the Sea Eagles reclaim the club’s famed resilience.
The men from Sydney’s Northern Beaches have been a surprise packet this season to sit in sixth position after seven rounds.
Manly have showcased admirable toughness to claim victories in the absence of star players like Tom Trbojevic and skipper Daly Cherry-Evans.
According to Parker, the Sea Eagles’ new-found spirit was formed during countless wrestling sessions in the summer sun.
“I think that is when we started building our resilience,” Parker told The Daily Telegraph.
“We start on the training field and then Des made us go and train on wrestling mats and tackle each other for an hour.
“Then we’d go back on the field and train for another hour or so but we didn’t complain and we just kept going.
“Somehow Des has made us all a bit tougher but we needed to be more resilient and keep on going, no matter what happens.
“We had Cherry go down on the weekend but nothing really changed for us.
“No one dropped their heads and we just kept going with it.
“How Des talks to us and how we approach things is showing on the field, especially with our defence.”
Sea Eagles back-rower Joel Thompson has thoroughly enjoyed working under Hasler this season.
Thompson says the dual premiership-winning mentor has given the Sea Eagles a steely edge to fight no matter what happens on the field.
“Des has brought that mentality to our team, which we needed,” Thompson said.
“We’ve probably let ourselves down as a playing group last year.
“We knew we had to put a lot of work in.
“There were sessions when it felt like your body couldn’t go any further but you push for each other and we are starting to see that in games now.
“We are toughing out wins that we wouldn’t have in previous seasons.”
On the back of Hasler, Manly’s defence has significantly improved this season.
The Sea Eagles are ranked fifth in points conceded (120), whereas this time last season they had leaked 183 points.
Parker says Hasler’s message to the players is simple.
“Des basically said, work hard and listen to me and if you follow my set of instructions we’ll hopefully get success,” he said.
“And that is what we did. We shut up and worked hard through the whole summer and it is paying off now.
“There are just no black and white areas with Des.
“It is just do this at this part of the field and if you don’t do your job then it is your own fault.
“There is definitely more accountability.
“Now we just have to keep going. We can’t lose focus.”
Manly face Hasler’s former club Canterbury at Lottoland on Saturday afternoon.
The Sea Eagles have named Lebanon representative Abbas Miski to make his NRL debut on the wing.
Parker says Miski’s selection is proof that Hasler will reward players for their effort.
“It doesn’t matter who you are or where you are in the squad, everyone has a fair chance as long as you work hard and prove yourself to Des,” he said.
“He has put a lot of belief in a couple of us younger players like myself and Corey Waddell and Reuben Garrick.
“Blokes like that have really stepped up this year even though we haven’t played many first grade games to prove we belong in the team.”
Originally published as Brad Parker credits master mentor Des Hasler for helping Manly reclaim their famed resilience
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