Anthony Seibold sends pointed message to Manly fans about former coach Des Hasler

Anthony Seibold has pleaded with Manly fans not to boo Des Hasler as the veteran coach prepares to return to Brookvale for the first time since his dramatic axing in 2022. The Titans coach remains in a bitter legal feud with Sea Eagles management - after mediation between the two parties over his payout failed - with a two-day hearing date set down for November.

The Sea Eagles offered Hasler a $565,000 settlement after he was sacked by the club but he reportedly wants around double that sum. Hasler was sacked on the back of the pride jersey saga. During the 2022 season, seven Manly players opted against wearing the Sea Eagles LGBTQIA+ jersey on religious grounds. Hasler then criticised the club's handling of the saga, saying players should have been involved in discussions about the jersey.

On the back of the controversy, the team went on to lose nine straight matches, dashing what had been a promising season and the club's hopes of reaching the finals. Hasler was sacked shortly after with a year remaining on his contract.

The 63-year-old was then appointed Gold Coast Titans head coach on a three-year deal ahead of the 2024 season. And this weekend marks the first occasion he will return to his old fortress.

But Sunday is not the first time Hasler has returned to his old stomping ground with a new club and Seibold doesn't want to see history repeat itself. Hasler was relentlessly booed by fans in 2012 and there were many distasteful banners on the hill taking a dig at the former coach after he walked out on Manly for Canterbury in the week after the 2011 grand final win.

But this Sunday is somewhat different, given it was not Hasler's choice to leave the club but there are still concerns he may receive a hostile welcome. But Seibold is hoping the former coach is treated with respect declaring he is a club legend.

"Des is a legend of the club," Seibold said. "How many people win multiple premierships as a player and multiple as a coach? He is a legend of our club.

"In my eyes, he is one of the really elite coaches in our game. You could argue he is in the top five or six coaches rugby league has ever had. I have utmost respect for him. And I am sure the supporters will recognise what he has done for our club. He has done a great job with a lot of the (current) guys."

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Des Hasler has brought great success to Manly

Hasler was directly involved in half of Manly's eight premierships, as a player in 1987 and 1996 and then as a coach in 2008 and 2011. Up to 10 players in Manly's team this weekend will have played under Hasler, with the former coach having handed several of them their NRL debuts.

The sides faced earlier this season on the Gold Coast when Manly managed to get the better of them 34-30. And Tom Trbojevic is prepared for the Titans to be well prepared and out to make a statement for their coach.

"Des will be Des," Trbojevic said. "He obviously wants to win every game. But we know what we need to do to put ourselves in the best preparation to win a game."

with AAP