AS Geoff Toovey hit the ground running as head coach of the Sea Eagles on Monday, across town the Bulldogs wasted no time parading their star recruit Des Hasler.
In a scene sure to incense Sea Eagles fans, Hasler appeared in front of a media circus at Belmore dressed in Bulldogs colours just three days after being sacked as Manly coach.
It was also the dawning of a new era, but far more low-key, at Narrabeen as Toovey moved into his office after all the recent dramas that have plagued the club.
Besides the inevitable bucketloads of sweat that are shed during pre-season training, Toovey also wants the players to have some fun as they chase back-to-back premierships.
The premiership-winning Manly skipper was the first person to arrive at the club’s Narrabeen headquarters at 8am, immediately throwing himself into preparations for the campaign ahead.
It was was a far more peaceful scene than last Friday when it was confirmed he would be stepping up to the top job.
One got the impression Toovey was not disappointed the spotlight had shifted away from him and the Manly club.
“It is exciting and I’ve been getting into the work that needs to be done,†Toovey said during a break in his busy schedule.
Apart from attending meetings, he also checked on the fitness testing done by those players who were back at training.
With Toovey in his previous role as assistant coach a lot of the foundations for the coming season had been laid.
“And there are a few other things that I plan to bring in,†Toovey said.
Toovey was confident he had the players’ support.
“The players are very professional, coaches and players come and go,†he said. “Things have moved very quickly, obviously, but we can only do what is put in front of us and we will carry on.â€
The immediate challenge is the World Club Challenge in February. “It isn’t easy travelling to England two weeks before the premiership starts,†Toovey said.
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