Hasler ready to cop it from fans

A relaxed Des Hasler says angry Manly fans can go at him as hard as they like in his return to Brookvale Oval on Friday night, insisting he will handle any abuse thrown his way.

Some Sea Eagles supporters have still not forgiven the two-time premiership-winning coach for walking out on the club and joining the Bulldogs days after the 2011 Grand Final win.

They plan to make his homecoming as uncomfortable as possible.

But Hasler is not concerned about the prospect of derogatory banners questioning his loyalty or catcalls from the crowd.

"It will be a good reception. The Manly fans are very passionate and it will be a great atmosphere," he said at Belmore on Tuesday.

"I'll be in the box, I'll be sweet.

"It's just another day, another game.

"It'd be great (if they give it to me), that's what it's all about.

"It's passion, it's the tribalism, it's the emotion.

"It's what you want."

Asked what sort of response he is expecting from the 'little old ladies' who used to adore him and the fans in general. Hasler quipped: "Little old ladies love me so that should be OK.

"I'm sure if I turned up to their (the fans') place on a Saturday afternoon for a barbie, they wouldn't turn me away.

"Brookie is one of the great suburban grounds and it will be great to see a packed house there Friday night.

"It's great theatre but it won't feel strange for me."

While Hasler was all jokes and smiles ahead of his return to the northern beaches, he did put on his serious face when assessing the Sea Eagles.

"You will find a vastly different Manly side to last week," he predicted.

"It's an opportunity for this young Bulldogs side to really get a taste of grinding football.

"It will be a great experience and learning curve for us to (play) what I view as the benchmark side.

"They're the NRL premiers and they have those players that lift for the big games.

"It's a good test for us.

"We're the new boys on the block. We just want to see where we're at."

Hasler's players are buying into the challenge, agreeing Manly present a huge test despite being a few rungs below them on the table.

"They're the reigning premiers so it's a big challenge for us," prop Aiden Tolman said.

"It's a big chance for us to step up. We want to test ourselves against the best which Manly are."

Front-row partner James Graham added: "The atmosphere will be really intense, a hostile environment.

"We want to see where we're at."