Des Hasler hadn't set out to make a point in Manly's 18-10 win over his former NRL club Canterbury, but he might have anyway.
In his first dealing with the Bulldogs since reaching an out-of-court settlement with the club, Hasler again showed why he was the perfect fit at the Sea Eagles.
Without Daly Cherry-Evans at No.7 and Tom Trbojevic at the back, Manly were gritty, tough and exemplified every Hasler trait in Saturday evening's win over the Bulldogs.
Rookie winger Reuben Garrick scored all 18 of Manly's points but halfback Kane Elgey was the star, setting up both of his team's tries as he bamboozled the Bulldogs' left-edge defence.
It came just a week after Hasler made the call to drop Elgey, before he rebounded with two long cut-out balls for tries to Garrick in the opening 15 minutes.
"For him personally, it was a really good result," Hasler said.
"He was really good in the first half, he really stepped up and that's what he needed to do."
Manly, close to wooden spoon favourites before the season such was their form and roster, have won five of their past six matches.
They also lost five-eighth Lachlan Croker to a hamstring injury in the win, while prop Addin Fonua-Blake played on with a knee injury but would need scans.
Making matters worse, other back-up option Trent Hodkinson is also missing from reserve grade with a knee issue.
"In the overall scheme of things, two points like that when it's on a knife's edge, you want to get them," Hasler said.
"It wasn't pretty, but it will do us.
"They're playing with (that confidence to step up whoever is out). You try and identify that and make everyone aware."
But asked if the win meant a little against the Bulldogs, given his messy exit from the club, Hasler said: "No, no - we've moved on well and truly."
The Bulldogs momentarily appeared to be back in the match through a double to winger Reimis Smith either side of halftime.
Smith's first came after he leapt high to mark a Jack Cogger bomb, while his second was via slick Will Hopoate hands to cut the deficit to 14-10.
But ill-discipline cost Canterbury late, allowing Garrick to kick the Sea Eagles home.
"I thought our attitude wasn't where it needed to be," Bulldogs coach Dean Pay said.
"They ran harder and tackled harder than us. That's what it comes down to."
