Since crossing over from Melbourne Storm in 2010, Turner has been riding a wave of finals disappointment as the Bulldogs failed to make the top eight for two years in a row.

But speaking to The Daily Advertiser yesterday, Turner said a hard pre-season and good trial games has the Bulldogs in the right shape under Hasler’s reign.

“Obviously it’s been a bit disappointing over the past few years not to be playing finals footy, because that’s what you train all year for,” Turner said yesterday.

“It’d be great for the playing group to get back into finals footy.

“I think at this stage we’re capable of doing anything.”

While the Bulldogs finished just shy of the NRL finals at the end of last season, Hasler led Manly Sea-Eagles to a classic 24-10 victory over Warriors in the grand final – the second premiership under his rule.

Hasler’s influence has already started to take hold, with Turner admitting this pre-season has been one of the toughest of his 10-year NRL career.

“We only missed out on making the finals on for and against last year so hopefully with Des at the helm we can do better,” he said.

“We’ve had a great pre-season, he’s been working us very hard.

“It’d be nice (to win the premiership), but these things are a work in progress.

“It’s that old cliche that you need to take it one game at a time.”

The Bulldogs will line up in its first trial game against Roosters at Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday night before the blockbuster clash with Raiders at Equex Park on February 18.

Turner said everything looks positive for a huge year with the Bulldogs.

“I’d like to think we’re in for a good year,” he said.

“We’re really looking forward to this trial game, we’ve been training since November so it’s been a long pre-season.

“Hopefully we can start off with a big game back at Belmore this weekend and then Wagga next weekend.

“Wagga’s a big country town and they really love their footy so we’re really looking forward to it.”