NRL: Hasler dons blue and white

Des Hasler. Photo / Getty Images

Des Hasler has donned the blue and white of Canterbury and declared his only goal is making the NRL club competitive in 2012.

Hasler started work at the Bulldogs on Monday after his contract was brought forward a year following his sacking from premiers Manly on Friday.

Asked if he had set any goals, Hasler said: "It's to be competitive, that's all it is. You can't paint expectations. It's just to be competitive.''

Hasler will be at the Bulldogs for the next four seasons, his deal finishing at the end of 2015.

The two-time premiership-winning mentor met Canterbury players and staff before fronting a media conference where his trademark style was unchanged.

He told one reporter he was asking too many questions and castigated another for arriving late.

"It was probably like starting a first day at school at a new place,'' he said.

"One of the scariest things for humans is change but I got over here this morning and I've also got to give (interim coach) Jimmy Dymock a wrap because he was most welcoming and, with that change, it wasn't as bad.

"Just being with Jim this morning for half an hour it's been great and that change isn't half as scary.''

Relegated to an assistant role following Hasler's early arrival, Dymock admitted he was "definitely disappointed'' not to make his debut as a head coach next season but accepted the change was in the club's best interest.

Hasler said the month and a half since Manly claimed the NRL competition title had been difficult.

"Let's be honest, it's been difficult for all parties, it's been a bit unfortunate,'' he said.

"It was unexpected, the circumstances, but that's part and parcel of rugby league.

"Now it's best left as it is and everyone just gets on with it and everybody moves forward.''

Hasler said he was happy with the club's playing roster and there were no plans to lure Manly stars to Belmore.

- AAP