Canterbury coach Des Hasler has called upon his Bulldogs players to look to Mahatma Gandhi for inspiration in their quest for the 2015 NRL premiership.
Arguably rugby league's greatest motivator, Hasler moved to quote the famed Indian independence leader at the Bulldogs season launch on Tuesday night.
When talking about the tough times the Dogs experienced in their charge to last year's grand final, and the challenges they will face in 2015, Hasler borrowed from Gandhi, whose approach of non-violent civil disobedience helped free India from British rule.
"I wish to conclude with some insightful sentiments and some utterings and words the boys heard over the past couple of months," Hasler said after announcing James Graham as the Bulldogs' new captain.
"They are from a truly inspirational human being and in this time of negativity his words probably truly represent what we aspire to do.
"Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words, keep your words positive because your words become your behaviour, keep your behaviour positive because your behaviour becomes your habits, keep your habits positive because your habits become your values, and keep your values positive because your values become your destiny." Canterbury played some of their best football in last year's final series before losing the grand final to South Sydney.
Hasler spoke of the bond the players had formed last year and during the pre-season for 2015. "I am certain of one thing ... that this group of young men will do everything in their power to encourage and support each other," he said.
