Coach Des Hasler can give inexperienced Bulldogs some bark

BULLDOGS star Ben Barba says people who question Canterbury's lack of big-game experience have forgotten one thing - coach Des Hasler.

BULLDOGS superstar Ben Barba says people who are questioning Canterbury's lack of big-game experience have forgotten one vital component - coach Des Hasler.

Barba says the NRL minor premiers, who came into this year's playoffs ahead of only Canberra in the experience stakes, are equipped to handle Saturday's blockbuster against South Sydney thanks largely to the Dally M Coach of the Year.

According to Fox Sports Stats, the Bulldogs started week one of the finals boasting only 50 finals matches between them, with Barba and halves Josh Reynolds and Kris Keating all on duck eggs.

Canberra, the most inexperienced, had 47.

It's a similar story in this weekend's sudden-death match against the Rabbitohs, whose roster not only boasts almost 20 per cent more finals experience but includes grand final veterans Michael Crocker and Greg Inglis.Yet Barba quickly points out that Hasler has won four titles as both a player and coach.

"So when it comes to finals footy, I've never been in this situation before but Des, he has and he knows how to handle it," Barba said.

"It's why, coming into that first playoff against Manly, nothing really changed for us. Off the field, we just kept doing what we normally do.

"We hung around and enjoyed each other's company.

"We know that the team we are, the bond we have, it's got us this far. It's been great and I'm just enjoying the ride because these chances, they don't come along often."

The 23-year-old also said the Bulldogs had more than proved their finals mettle in the Manly encounter, when the Sea Eagles employed such confronting, physical tactics that North Queensland superstar Jonathan Thurston labelled them the greatest nigglers in the NRL.

"Manly really put the heat on all our guys," Barba said.

"They've got a great forward pack with King, Watmough, Tony Williams. You can keep rattling off names. Their job was to intimidate a few of the guys in the team but everyone, our halves particularly, really handled themselves well.

"So far finals footy has been everything people have told me it would be. It's faster, more physical ... I'm just glad we were able to match it with Manly."

Barba also confirmed recent revelations in Rugby League Week that, during games, he makes certain plays based on a series of "secret whistles" from his old man Ken, who is staying in Sydney for the duration of the NRL finals.

According to the Canterbury fullback, the whistles were developed between Ken Barba and all his sons - Rodney, Aaron, Ben and Marmin - during their junior days in Mackay.

Each whistle has a different meaning and when Dad lets fly the boys instinctively react with a chip kick or some other premeditated play.

"I've even heard Dad during games this year," Barba said.

"Although I think from here on in it's going to be pretty tough with crowds of between 50,000 and 80,000 people. But playing back home in Mackay, obviously the crowds were pretty small, so I could hear Dad whistle from anywhere on the field."