Des Hasler's departure from Manly last week will go down in rugby league folklore - but his arrival at the club, which has never been revealed, is every bit as fascinating.Way back in 1983, Hasler was a school teacher and part-time footballer with Penrith.Hasler had a handful of games in the top grade but the Panthers ultimately didn't rate him and his papers were marked "never to play first grade again".He found himself on the bench for third grade - and his career was on the skids at the age of 22.Only one reporter covered the lower grades back in those days - a naive young journo from Rugby League Week also trying to make the grade … me!I remembered one day that season in 1983 I turned up at Campbelltown at noon to watch the Panthers play Newtown in all three grades.Newtown was in control of the third-grade game, until the Penrith coach told Hasler to get off the bench and see what he could do.Dessie, a super-fit athlete, ran out there, scored two solo tries and won Penrith the game.After the match I went up to him in the sheds and said, "Mate, you are too good to be on the bench for third grade. Call me at the end of the year and I'll find you another club".Des grunted and nodded, and I thought that was the end of the matter.But sure enough, about a week after the season finished, my phone at RLW rang and a shy voice said, "Tony, it's Des Hasler here, I was wondering if I could take you up on that offer".I said "sure", and rang just about every club in the old Sydney competition offering Des' services, virtually for free. All he wanted was a chance.Most replies were either "not interested" or "Des WHO?".
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