Whenever Josh Reynolds has doubted himself in his breakout NRL season he has turned to coach Des Hasler for guidance.

Reynolds has been a revelation in just his second year in the NRL and a key figure in Canterbury's surge to the grand final with the 23-year-old's form marking him as a future NSW State of Origin five-eighth.

It's an incredible rise to prominence given he was a relative unknown at the start of the season and while it has appeared to come without any obstacles, Reynolds has admitted doubts in his ability have surfaced at times during the season as his self belief waned.

Enter Hasler.

As a two-time premiership winning coach, two-time premiership winning player and NSW and Australia representative, Reynolds could not have turned to anyone better than Hasler to help him deal with the pressures of first grade football.

As the Dogs seek to cap an incredible season with a grand final win on Sunday, Reynolds paid tribute to Hasler's ability to instill a steely belief amongst his players.

Asked at Thursday's grand final breakfast what was the most important thing Reynolds had learnt from Hasler in his first year in charge of the Bulldogs, Reynolds replied: "I think it is the belief in myself.

"Sometimes as you are growing up, you might have a bad game here and there and you definitely doubt yourself. But when I have been doing a few bad things this year Des has just said to me `we need to keep on working on it, but keep your head up and keep on trying things'.

"At the start of the year I set a few goals and I just wanted to get into the side because it is such a great side. We had Kris Keating and Trent Hodkinson there so I was going to be over the moon if I got a bench spot.

"And after my first start I just said I didn't want to lose it. Playing those first few games was what I wanted to do."

Bulldogs skipper Michael Ennis backed Reynolds' call.

"I always had all the confidence in the roster we had there," Ennis said.

"It was just that we needed that little bit of structure and confidence that Des comes with and that wealth of experience.

"It is his work ethic that is infectious, we are just very fortunate to have him at our club and everyone has really enjoyed their time under him so far."

Reynolds is one of several Bulldogs without grand final experience but he declared he would not be overawed by rugby league's biggest occasion against a side which has played in five of the last seven deciders.

"Obviously for a few of us younger guys it is our first grand final but we are enjoying the week," he said.

"But when it comes to Sunday it is going to be a tough game and we have to make sure our heads are there."