Michael Lichaa has admitted his game plan doesn't suit the coaching style of Des Hasler, but insists there is no bad blood between them as he approaches his final two weeks at the Bulldogs.
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Lichaa joined Canterbury three years ago with the reputation of being the best young attacking hooker on the market, but he will leave the club with a contrasting reputation.
Hasler's strategy has shackled Lichaa's attacking game and despite criticism of his inability to run the ball, he is adamant he has that weapon in his repertoire as he looks to land a contract at a rival NRL club.
"I know I can still run the footy," Lichaa said as he showed off the new Lebanon world cup kit on Tuesday. "You don't forget how to run the footy. Of course I want to run as much as possible. It's just the way it's panned out. Whatever happens next year, I would like to get back (to running).
"It's nothing personal. I love Dessie. He is a good bloke. He is a very smart man. Our game plan is a certain way and I've tried my best to fit into that. That's all you can do. You can only do what the coach wants. That's what I feel like I've done. I wouldn't have a bad word to say about Dessie. Obviously I'm more of a runner, but it doesn't always pan out that way."
Lichaa, who is understood to have have attracted interest from Newcastle and St George Illawarra for next year, says he is constantly abused by fans because of a perception he refuses to run the ball.
The Cronulla junior can see the funny side of the public sledging, but knows he's just a victim of the limitations put on him.
"It's pretty funny. People who have no clue about rugby league just say whatever they want," Lichaa said.
"The best players in the world get sprayed. I'm nowhere near that so I'm going to be copping it. Especially playing for the Bulldogs, they are pretty passionate fans. You lose a game and you're the worst player in the world.
"It's harder for my family. Family and friends see it on social media. They want to say something because they know what's going on behind the scenes. Obviously fans don't. I just laugh at it now. The usual 'you're shit' or 'you don't run the ball'. That's my favourite. I'd run it but ... yeah."
While most would agree Lichaa hasn't lived up to his potential at the Bulldogs, he insists he has no regrets about joining the club from the Sharks.
"It's easy to say it and I could've stayed at Cronulla but I definitely don't," he said. "It's not all about playing footy. All my best friends are there. I love it. It's been awesome. Footy-wise it hasn't been the easiest, but I'm sure next year wherever I end up I'll be able to play that footy again and I'm looking forward to that. I don't regret coming to the Bulldogs. It's been a great club.
"I've learnt things that I never thought I would. I never thought I'd be able to punch out 60 tackles in a game. I remember five or six games into my Bulldogs career that happened. I thought, 'far out I never thought I'd be able to do that'. From a fans perspective or people in the media, they only look at attack. That's what looks good. But I've learnt a lot in the defensive side of things. I know I haven't lost anything in attack. I just haven't been doing it. I know I've still got it."
