Manly’s decision to remove premiership-winning mentor Des Hasler from the top job at Brookvale effective immediately was the only possible outcome for the Sea Eagles, and is just deserts for Hasler’s duplicitous actions.
Following a marathon seven-hour board meeting on Wednesday, Hasler was relieved of the final year of his contract at the club where he won two premierships after signing a multi-million dollar four-year deal with Canterbury Bulldogs from 2013 onwards.
Club chairman Scott Penn cited “serious contract breaches” as the reason behind Hasler’s termination, with the implication Hasler had been manoeuvring to take several key stars, including five-eight Kieran Foran, along to the Bulldogs with him.
The idea of Hasler being able to successfully work at Brookvale next season was about as feasible as Anthony Watmough playing designated driver on a Saturday night out on The Corso.
If, for example, Manly had suffered a premiership hangover early on next season, how could Hasler have been relied upon to make the best possible decisions for the long-term future of the club?
There is one simple answer: he couldn’t.
For those who don’t reside on the North Shore, Hasler’s abrasive personality is hardly endearing and the manner in which he has conducted himself throughout this saga has not done much to improve that perception.
Hasler’s defection to Belmore was made public only days after the 2011 NRL Grand Final and only the foolish would deny that the deal had been in the offing in the lead-in to the premiership decider.
The glow of premiership glory deflected the spotlight away from Hasler’s skullduggery but had the Warriors beaten Manly that evening, the blowtorch would rightfully have been turned on Hasler.
If Hasler had been significantly affected by the fractured board at Manly to the point he could no longer continue at the club, then so be it. Walk away.
But don’t try and keep your fingers in two pies at once, Des.
It’s unmanageable, underhanded and most importantly, unprofessional.
As one of the club’s favourite sons Hasler has been able to mould the Sea Eagles into one of the best teams of the last decade, and his coaching credentials are unquestioned at the Sea Eagles.
But success at one club doesn’t necessarily translate to success at another. Just ask Ricky Stuart.
And at a club who have been starved of major success over recent seasons, patience might run thin if success isn’t instantaneous.
I’m willing to bet there will be more than a few who won’t mind seeing things turn sour out at Belmore for Hasler given his conduct over the past month.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
The rugby league community is in mourning following the sudden death of former Kangaroos centre Terry Hill from an apparent heart attack in the…
Warriors coach Andrew Webster wants to see Shaun Johnson suit up alongside boom recruit James Fisher-Harris in 2025, saying the star halfback is "huge…
1. Tigers earning their stripes The Tigers played Souths last year when the Bunnies were at their very highest point. Tim Sheens coached them…
Manly have snuck home against the Titans in a wild game on the Gold Coast, running out 34-30 winners on a night in which,…
Who are the hardest working big men in the NRL?
1. Manu is not No.1 at Roosters Everyone knows Joey Manu is a really good fullback. He’s probably in the top five in the…
