Saturday's NRL preliminary final between Canterbury and Penrith continues a battle of the minds between two of the game's best coaches in Des Hasler and Ivan Cleary.
Two-time premiership-winner Hasler has turned around the Bulldogs' season with back-to-back victories over Melbourne and Manly after his side had stumbled into the finals on the back of six losses in their last eight games.
Cleary has done an equally strong job in guiding an unheralded side to a top-four finish and a stirring win over premiers the Sydney Roosters in last week's qualifying final to earn a week off.
In 17 meetings between the two coaches Hasler has triumphed on 13 occasions to Cleary's four.
Despite the superior record, Hasler was once again trying to claim underdog status at Monday's NRL's coaches call media conference at Rugby League Central.
While Penrith finished fourth and enjoyed an extra week off the Bulldogs, who completed the regular season in seventh, are favourites to win through to the grand final - a point Hasler was quick to point out.
"Well the bookies don't know anything, but Penrith have beaten us twice ... I won't go there," he said.
"I think when it comes to the finals, it comes down to the game and the match and the momentum and the flow.
"Let's hope it's lack of referees calls. And I think it'll be a real tight game. There's so much to play for.
"The players more than anything, are aware of that. So it'll come down to someone's carry or someone's pass or someone's tackle. Or a kick.
"Penrith are very well versed in a lot of them things."
Hasler's Manly side beat a Warriors team coached by Cleary in the 2011 grand final in what proved to be the two men's final game in charge of their respective clubs.
Cleary has endured a difficult task in turning around the fortunes of his new club, with a number of players shipped out as the team struggled for wins before this season.
But Hasler was quick to acknowledge the work done by his former Manly teammate Cleary in 2014.
"I think Penrith have been outstanding this year," he said.
"The one thing about this Penrith side is that they defy the odds and the critics out there and it's a tremendous effort.
"As a coach, you tend to appreciate what Ivan has done ... to get to this stage, they will be tough on Saturday night."
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