Former Manly Sea Eagles owner Max Delmege serves it up to ex-coach Des Hasler FORMER Manly owner Max Delmege believes Des Hasler is regretting handing his empire to Geoff Toovey, accusing him of putting financial greed ahead of a Sea Eagles dynasty. It is almost two years to the day that Hasler dropped a bombshell at Brookvale, quitting to join Canterbury just seven days after masterminding Manly's last title triumph in 2011. Hasler's departure was expected to leave a gaping void, but his former assistant Toovey has thrived in the hot seat to steer the Sea Eagles to Sunday's grand final against the Roosters. While Hasler took the Bulldogs to last year's decider, he endured a below-par 2013 campaign headlined by a first-week finals exit and star fullback Ben Barba's nightmare season. The former Test star steered Manly to three grand finals in eight seasons, winning premiership rings in 2008 and '11, and Delmege claims Hasler would be ruing walking away. "I will say this, I bet you Des is now sorry," said Delmege, who severed ties in 2010 after injecting $15 million into the club. Canterbury Bulldogs coach Des Hasler (left) and Manly Sea Eagles coach Geoff Toovey. There's no question he would regret leaving. Des still lives on the northern beaches and he's now driving to Belmore, whereas before he went up the road to Narrabeen. But the most important thing, and it must be going through his head, is that Des was the Pope at Manly. He was revered at the club and he could do no wrong. He walked away from a very good roster and I'm sure he must rue the dynasty he could have built at Manly. Des is a very domineering person, he is a control freak, so when he walked Geoff Toovey was thrown in the deep end. Utilising Delmege's millions, Hasler tweaked and refined Manly, transforming the club into a powerhouse on the back of state-of-the-art resources and infrastructure. Toovey has since enjoyed the fruits of Hasler's labour, but Delmege scoffs at suggestions the Sea Eagles great primarily left Brookvale for a new challenge. Manly Sea Eagles coach Geoff Toovey. "It's simple, he went for the money," Delmege said. Des still has his first dollar ... anyone who knows Des knows he's tight. The Dogs gave him everything he wanted, he was offered a huge deal and he got all the facilities he wanted. It was the same at Manly. I must admit, when I was in control at Manly I virtually gave him all the tools. You can be the best carpenter in the world but if you have a blunt saw, your product won't be so great. We gave Des the best tools but Canterbury went overboard. Now a Sydney radio talkback host, Delmege believes Toovey has well and truly stepped out of Hasler's imposing shadow. "Even if Des wanted to come back to Manly, Tooves shouldn't step aside because he has already proven himself," he said. I reckon in 2012, Des would have been a real strong chance of leading Manly to another premiership. It's easy to be wise after the event but at the end of the day we can't complain, we have a great replacement in Tooves and we are very happy. Even if we lose the grand final, Geoff can only get better and better, he is his own man now.