Manly methods 'above board': Des Hasler Des Hasler at a press conference after last night's game. Picture: Rohan Kelly Source: The Daily Telegraph DES Hasler has declared that the work of controversial sports scientist Stephen Dank during his highly successful tenure at Manly Sea Eagles was above board. Bulldogs coach Hasler tonight broke his silence on sport's drugs scandal to back Dank, whose radical methods have come into question. Dank's lawyers today said they will launch a $10 million defamation claim against various media outlets, alleging their client has been falsely accused of selling illegal drugs to sportspeople. Dank was part of the Manly set-up while the side was coached by Hasler, who led them to NRL premierships in 2008 and 2011. "Steve Dank is a great thinker, a great analytical thinker, in his time at Manly there he did a lot of work on GPS and a lot of statistical science, he did a lot of work in hypoxi," Hasler said. I've got no qualm, 100 per cent, that we were entirely within the policy of WADA and ASADA guidelines, no problem there. Dank is understood to have been interviewed by the Australian Crime Commission over his work at Manly and the Essendon AFL club. Hasler also said the federal investigation into the use of performance-enhancing drugs by athletes in various codes should not overshadow the kick-off to the NRL season. "I'd like to think not, but the word out there at the moment is 'Tell us'," he said. There has been a lot of speculation, a lot of accusation, everybody is now really waiting to see the accountability, that would be the general message put back there by CEOs and leading spokespeople in the game. I haven't seen anything like this, with the announcement from the federal ministers earlier in the week. But I think the resounding response is that they want to know who, what, when and why. It's not the game (of rugby league), it's sport in general," he said. Hasler's Canterbury side played their first trial of the year tonight at Belmore Sports Ground, defeating Newtown Jets 34-14. In the second half Hasler introduced his big names including key signing Tony Williams, who played under him at Manly. Williams said players could not allow the drugs scandal to distract them from performing this season. "We just have to do what we have to do, that's the only way," Williams said. Tony Williams on debut for the Bulldogs.