'They'll be happy to see me': Hasler in good spirits for Brookvale return
Titans coach Des Hasler has used his trademark humour to express his excitement of returning to Brookvale Oval for Sunday's clash against the Sea Eagles.Cheekily suggesting the passionate faithful to be eager to see the former Manly legend return to the place he spent over two decades at as a player and coach, the trip will be his first visit to the iconic Northern Beaches venue since joining the Titans.
"They'll be happy to see me... so it'll be really good," Hasler joked.
"It's all part of the theatre."
But the journey south is no holiday for Hasler and his side who are aiming for four straight wins to keep their finals bid alive, eyeing off clipping the wings of the home side which has become a regular for the Titans in recent times, having won six of their last eight appearances to Brookie.
"I know the place pretty well. It's always a formidable ground to play at. That's the way it's been built over the decades," he said.
"It'll be a really good test actually and our players are genuinely excited. It'll be a really good game of footy.
"Both sides are playing good footy at the moment so it's a dry track, I think you'll see some open footy."
Expecting the Sea Eagles to be bolstered by the return of Origin duo Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic to complete a "top four" roster that includes experience and speed to burn, Hasler has remained tight-lipped on his finals aspirations, instead knowing continued good performances will be rewarded.
"I'm going to give a boring routine cliche answer here, but [finals] take care of itself if you keep winning," Hasler said.
"It's so congested [on the ladder] really, so you never say never."
