The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) has congratulated Gold Coast Titans coach Des Hasler ahead of his 500th match as an NRL coach this weekend.
Hasler will become just the sixth coach to achieve the milestone when the Titans take on the New Zealand Warriors in a Round 21 clash at Go Media Stadium in Auckland on Saturday.
Hasler joins Wayne Bennett (956* matches coached), Tim Sheens (693), Brian Smith (601), Craig Bellamy (594*) and Ricky Stuart (534*) as the only coaches in Premiership history to reach 500 games.
ARLC Chairman Peter V'landys AM said Hasler's longevity and success as a coach had been built around discipline, resilience and a thirst for knowledge.
"What you get with Des is a combination of toughness and a deep commitment to preparation and detail. It is often overlooked just how technical and analytical Des is as a coach, and his toughness and meticulous approach to his game as a player has carried into his coaching career.
"On behalf of the Commission, I congratulate Des on an incredible career in Rugby League. He has played at the highest levels of our game, won Premierships as a player and coach at Manly and now he takes his deserved place on a list of the most accomplished coaches in the game's history to reach 500 games," said Mr V'landys.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said Hasler had combined his unique skills, experience and flair for innovation to maintain longevity as a coach.
"As a player and coach, Des has been one of the game's toughest competitors.
"His deep knowledge and passion for the game, his ability to connect and care for players and his innovative coaching techniques has resulted in Des becoming just the sixth coach in the history of the game to coach 500 NRL matches. He was one of the early adopters of sports science and performance technology and has always been good at motivating and developing players," said Mr Abdo.
Hasler is in his second season in charge of the Titans after two separate coaching stints with Manly-Warringah (2004-2011, 2019-2022) and one with Canterbury-Bankstown (2012-2017). He guided the Sea Eagles to the 2008 and 2011 NRL Premierships and took the Bulldogs to the 2012 and 2014 Premiership deciders.
In his 288-game first grade career as a player, Hasler played in the Premiership-winning 1987 and 1996 Manly teams and made 12 Test appearances for the Kangaroos.
* Denotes active NRL coach
