The future of Des Hasler has been decided at an extraordinary Canterbury Bulldogs board meeting.
The meeting was called by Bulldogs chairman Ray Dib amid growing speculation that Hasler would be ousted from the club.
Hasler’s future as Canterbury coach was cast into doubt by Bulldogs board member Steve Mortimer earlier in the week, with the Bulldogs legend publicly calling into question whether Hasler was the right man to lead the club forward.
“I’ve had a couple of footballers say to me as a director ‘Turvey, we’re losing our DNA, the Bulldogs,’” Mortimer told Fairfax Media.
“I sat down with them and I’m saying, ‘I think we might be’.
However, in a shock development to the story, it appears that Mortimer’s power play failed, with the former star Bulldog stepping down from the board and Hasler remaining as the club’s head coach for the 2017 season.
Before the meeting, Dib believed Hasler had unfinished business and should be offered the respect a veteran coach deserved.
“I would like to see Des there for at least 2017, absolutely, if not longer,” Dib said.
“One thing I want to make very clear, the club is bigger than anyone. My motto is very simple, the club comes first, the team comes second, individuals come third, including Ray Dib, Des Hasler, Raelene Castle and the board. That’s the way I base my decisions and encourage board decisions — based on that motto.”
The club chairman’s backing has seen Hasler keep his job.
Pressure had been piling on Hasler from fans and sections of the club’s administration after the Canterbury-Bankstown club’s meek exit from the finals series.
The Bulldogs were comfortably brushed aside by a rampant Penrith outfit in the first week of the finals, with the club never really looking likely to trouble the men from the foot of the mountain.
Hasler’s playing tactics had been heavily criticised in 2016, with many fans and critics believing the premiership-winning coach has an over reliance on his forwards, due, in part, to his decision to offload key playmaker Trent Hodkinson.
However, during his five-year stint at the helm, Hasler has enjoyed a remarkably consistent record. Although they haven’t won a premiership under the former Manly mentor, the Bulldogs have made the finals in each of the past five seasons, making two grand finals.
Bexdog
Guest
I remember turvey coming out to calm the crowd down at the showground against the broncos while the game was on. You could sense something bad about to happen but he calmed the crazies in the crowd right down. Despite what he's done for the club he had to walk. Stupid to spew all our crap through the media. What were his motives though? Anyway, right decision has been made. Board probably needed to voice their concerns last year but the sacking of des' backroom staff was a good start. Obviously more changes will be made before the 9's. Also, I hope we send a competitive team over. I've stated previously that Des seems to lack respect for the game. Maybe he can start proving himself in Auckland.
Johnybulldog
Guest
Yes we are ready ready,love ur passion Baz & thats the great thing about the Doggies we know they'll come good mate.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Well said JB. Doesn't matter who's coach, CEO or in the board, my allegiance is to the mighty Bulldogs. Since I was born the dogs have been in 13 grand finals, winning 6, plenty of minor premierships and semi finals most years. Tons of inspiring players, clubmen and proud rep players, officials and coaches. There have been periods of disappointment and definitely times of shame but this great club always bounces back. We never make excuses, just make sure we find a way to get back to the top. Some clubs have a run of bad luck and use it as an excuse for a decade of failure (or more). That's not our way. A lot of clubs pay lip service to concepts like no one being bigger than the club and culture but it truly is in the Dogs DNA. The Entertainers, the Family Club, the Dogs of War. Blue and White until I die!!! Dogs are you ready, ready!!!
Johnybulldog
Guest
This crap should have been kept in house,goodbye turvey I don't believe u truly had the clubs best intrests at heart.Lets just see what Des n the boys can do next year,regardless i'll support them to the end.Lets just get into a great pre season now & come back with a new game plan.Love my Doggies.
souvalis
Guest
D.N.pAy must have knocked them back....
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Des is officially on notice, as you say DOW, if the team isn't playing a different style and winning in the first dozen games then it could well be curtains. I would be moving Reynolds to hooker, Mybe given licence to run the team and some speed out wide desperately needed.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Thing is. I'm not sure the current situation can work. Unless the dogs come out it playing a different style which will be hard to do. Then des will be lucky to last till round 10.
SewingMachine
Guest
Reason for all this..one word.. Ennis..
Snoop Bulldog
Guest
Sad moment for this great club, when a legend like Mortimer feels he needs to walk away. I grew up during his area with Terry Lamb etc when we were the dream team!! In saying all of the above Des deserves the respect as head coach to forfill his contract and try and get a better result next season.... if all fails and he needs to be moved on then so be it. No one person is bigger than the whole club!
The Barry
Roar Guru
It is very sad. I was at Canberra stadium in 2002 in the Dogs first game after getting 38 points deducted. Turvey was appointed interim CEO and came out and spoke to the fans with passion and called for calm and spoke of the rebuild. It was spine tinglingly brilliant. I love the bloke. But he had to be accountable for his actions. His behaviour this week as a board member was unacceptable.
jamesb
Guest
Sad day when a Bulldogs legend leaves the club. At the age of 60, Mortimer may never come back. As for Des, he does deserve another season. He does have a fair coaching record.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Definitely mate. Can't argue 1% of that. I was as harsh as anyone about their last six weeks. I kept waiting / hoping for something to click but they didn't get close. My comments are limited to the Penrith game only.
Griffo
Guest
This may all be true, Barry, but they way they finished the home and away season was poor. With a few rounds to go they were in poll position for a top 4 spot and they just seemed to peter out. You can't afford any mistakes if you finish outside the top 4 but inside you get that second bite at the cherry and the possibility of getting a rest in week 2. Mathematically you're a 3/16 chance of winning the premiership from top 4 and a 1/16 chance from outside. In short, top 4 is where you want to be. The dogs had the opportunity but they looked poor at that time imho.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Good result. A shame for Mortimer but he had to be held to account for speaking out of school. As an aside the description of the Panthers game gives me the Darren Britts. The Panthers were deserved winners but the Dogs dominated the first half and were playing vastly different footy to what they had over the previous month. In the second the Dogs had their 1, 6 and 9 off the field, basically no spine and forwards playing in the backline. That's why Penrith ran away with the game. If that happened in reverse we'd be hearing about another poor Panthers injury crisis. They also scored two tries while Morris was hobbling. One off the back of the ridiculous Moylan sideline call. Panthers won well no doubt and it was a disappointing finish but 'Bulldogs were never in the game' is hyperbole.
Chook
Guest
They don't call EM dogs for nothing...but the right decision was made