Wayne Bennett was the catalyst for the Bulldogs snaring coach Des Hasler

WAYNE Bennett might be sitting-out his first September in 21 years, but his influence still looms large over Canterbury's premiership campaign.

WAYNE Bennett might be sitting-out his first September in 21 years, but his influence still looms large over Canterbury's premiership campaign.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Canterbury's mission to poach Des Hasler last year began with some words of wisdom from Bennett.

A month into his search for a successor to Kevin Moore, Bulldogs CEO Todd Greenberg travelled to Bennett's home for advice on possible coaching candidates.

At the time, Bennett was still living in Wollongong as he wrapped-up a three-year stay with St George Illawarra.

And as he descended the Bulli Pass, Greenberg had not contemplated Hasler at all.

At the time the top candidates were caretaker coach Jim Dymock, Ricky Stuart, Mick Potter, Jason Taylor and Daniel Anderson.

While neither Bennett nor Greenberg would reveal the exact contents of their discussion, it's understood that Bennett alerted his house guest to then Brookvale coach Hasler's difficulty in securing a contract extension with the Manly board. Bennett also talked-up Hasler's emergence as one of the NRL's best coaches.

When contacted last night, Greenberg credited the seven-time premiership winner for being the "catalyst for significant change".

"I am indebted to Wayne for providing his time and thoughts at a difficult period for our club," Greenberg said.

"He was direct and forthright in his views and I appreciated his honesty."In any business you must constantly evolve and learn and that discussion was the catalyst for significant change at the Bulldogs."

Bennett declined to comment on the matter last night.

But his role in triggering Canterbury's hunt for Hasler could provide a fitting segue between the coaches.

Not since Bennett went back-to-back in 1997-98 at Brisbane has a coach won consecutive titles.

Hasler is now just two wins away from equalling the feat in his first year at Belmore, justifying every cent of the $1 million-plus salary he will reap after bonuses are taken into account.

Should Canterbury face Hasler's former Sea Eagles, the intrigue will be even more fascinating.

Hasler somehow managed to steer Manly to glory with while his future was being thrashed-out behind the scenes.

A year later he's showing the same composure, with Canterbury players - despite their relative inexperience in finals matches - relaxed after last week's break.

Hasler gave the team last weekend off, allowing several stars to get out of Sydney and freshen-up ahead of tomorrow night's preliminary final against South Sydney.

While the Bulldogs have lost their past two grand final qualifiers (2006 and 2009), Hasler is undefeated in three attempts to make the decider.