Loading The preseason has been filled with long, hot days in the field followed by nights spent studying film on iPads the players purchased themselves. Tom Trbojevic is one of those players. "One word to describe [Hasler] would be tough," Trbojevic said. "Des has done it all in this game, not only as a coach but as a player. "He’s won premierships here, he has made grand finals at the Dogs and he has a lot of knowledge of the game. "I have really enjoyed learning that from him and bringing the principles that he brings."

The players in column A also believe the amount of work Hasler is putting into the team's defence – which was a glaring weakness last season – will work wonders. "Just the way we played footy last year, we definitely need to bring some toughness in defence into the new year," Trbojevic said. Old firm reunited: Daly Cherry-Evans and Des Hasler after Manly's 2011 grand final triumph. Credit:NRL Photos "He leaves no stone unturned and when he tells you something, you know he has thought about it a lot and that you can trust it. "I think that’s a big thing for us – we are all buying what he’s been saying and hopefully it pays off for us."

Loading Api Koroisau also finds himself in column A. He's now experienced life working under Hasler and Michael Maguire and can't split the notoriously tough pair. "I couldn’t pick between the two – they are both psychos," Koroisau said with a laugh. "I’ve had both ends of the spectrum with Ivan [Cleary] and Trent (Barrett) and then Des and Michael Maguire.

"Des is a really good trainer and the boys are really fit and mentally strong. "He pushes us but it’s really good because you feel really satisfied after a hard week’s work." Then there's column B. There aren't as many of those players on Manly's list but between Hasler's previous life at the Sea Eagles and his time at Canterbury, those that are left knew exactly what to expect. "Old Des doesn’t leave no stone unturned," Trent Hodkinson said.

"He comes to the club and brings a certain way of doing things and everyone has jumped on board. Old Des doesn’t leave no stone unturned. Trent Hodkinson "He’s quite an intense individual." Hodkinson's halves partner, Daly Cherry-Evans, remembers Hasler's first tenure as a whirlwind. "I am trying to take the best of everything that I have learned over my career and certainly with the way Des prepares us for training and for games there is no stone unturned," Cherry-Evans said.

Loading "I was young and it was a whirlwind but in being in the game for eight years and those different experiences he has had, I definitely think he has grown as a coach. "I’m enjoying seeing the game from a different perspective myself and I am eight years down the track myself. "He certainly has his old habits and he is certainly a creature of habit and I’ve loved having his mannerisms back around the club." Column A were taken aback by the Hasler way, column B welcomed him with open arms.