Almost a year to the day since he was sacked by the club, Des Hasler has launched legal action against Manly over his controversial departure in the wake of the pride jersey debacle.
Hasler and Manly’s legal eagles will go head to head in the NSW Supreme Court on October 20 with the former coach demanding financial compensation for his abrupt dismissal at the end of last season with a year remaining on his contract and the potential to trigger a clause for an automatic extension into 2024.
According to a NewsCorp report, Hasler began legal proceedings in August after attempts to negotiate an out-of-court settlement broke down.
Three days after Manly’s pride jersey fiasco, the club’s owner Scott Penn declared Hasler would coach the Sea Eagles for as long as he wanted.
“Des has a contract for as long as he wants, really,” Penn said at the time. “He is absolutely there next year.
Scott Penn with Des Hasler. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)
But two months later he was given his marching orders after six weeks of ugly headlines and a situation at the club that had clearly become untenable.
Across a combined total of 559 games on and off the field, a Manly club record, Hasler won two premierships as a playmaker and two as coach.
And while his exit following the 2011 title win was ugly, he and Penn appeared to have buried the hatchet when Hasler returned to the club in late 2018.
A rainbow-striped jersey, and the fallout from its creation, erased all that good will.
Hasler was adamant he did not know of club plans to roll out the inclusion jersey, which had first been pitched to Manly in the pre-season.
Nor did several of his players, with seven opting to boycott last season’s crucial loss to the Sydney Roosters on religious grounds. Manly would not win again for the rest of the season with a seven-game losing streak plummeting from the top eight to well out of finals contention.
Hasler, not the club bosses, fronted the media to explain the pride jersey fiasco and the coach at the time apologised to everyone from his own squad, to the NRL, the LGBTQI community and people living with a disability.
Anthony Seibold took over as coach this year but the Sea Eagles struggled to finish in 12th spot.
Hasler has since signed a three-year deal to coach the Gold Coast from 2024 onwards.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Well you can say that about anyone that’s played in a grand final EG If Cleary didn’t play with great front rowers he wouldn’t be any good I don’t understand why you’re cranky all of a sudden. We’re having a discussion about whether he’s a good player or not. You came out with the big call and I’m just providing an opinion why I don’t think it’s true You haven’t really offered much, except “he played with Andrew Johns”
Phil
Roar Rookie
Geez TB, looks like you upset the feline.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
You seem to be coming back a couple of days later , with a novels worth of comment for some reason? If not to stress some point. I hear lots of supporters saying if this player or that player had not played in a great team ,they’d have looked pretty ordinary . That’s how I see Matthew Johns. When he wasn’t playing alongside a very good halfback, he was just ordinary. You can like that or lump it? Don’t really care!
The Barry
Roar Guru
I don’t really know what you’re talking about with them playing together First you said they were playing in juniors together, when the age difference was pointed out, then you meant playing in the backyard If Matthew is teaching Andrew how to play, he’s not really a hanger on in juniors and only looking good because he’s playing alongside Andrew as you’ve suggested. He made first grade before Andrew “the original point was that Matthew was just a hanger onto , of Andrew’s footballing talent . There’s no real argument against that.” There’s plenty of arguments against that… Matt wasn’t just a hanger on, he contributed to the Knights in his own right. It’s easy to knock him, because he’s the ‘funny guy’ now. Everyone remembers Andrew Johns winning the Knights a premiership. Everyone forgets it was Matty Johns that got them into that game He won a grand final with the Knights. Played in a SL grand final in England - must have been super ordinary there! He played Origin, played tests, won a World Cup. Played in a winning four nations final Seems like you’re judging him on one injury affected season with the Sharks… where they still finished 5th and got to a prelim (albeit Johns didn’t play after round 21 because of injury). Even in that year Johns played 21 games, they won 13 and he scored eight tries No one is saying he’s a great of the game or anything but you don’t get that CV by just being a hanger on
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Exactly
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Brookes may turn out to be a sound signing but I remain to be convinced. I don’t think getting rid of Keppie to spend the cash freed up on Lodge, who will play half a season at best, or extending Sharon who we lost 3 promising forwards. Also, I was aware that young Fainu got record money for a 16 year old but the key to this phrase was “…. For a 16 year old” his price compared to 1st grade contracts wouldn’t be enormous. Nor was that of his brother who was showing promise in 1st grade, I think the primary motivation in moving them on wasn’t financial. The more plausible reason was Des Hasler’s close relationship with the family and how badly they reacted to him being dumped. I read in the Daily Telmecrap just today that the Penns are now determined to drag the club through the mud in the courts yet again rather than settle. Doesn’t sound like that front office has go it’s poo in one neat pile to me
Tom G
Roar Rookie
I think it falls into two categories.. force of habit for those who are still clinging to the 70’s - 90’s silvertail trope and the others a lack of original thought. There’s also a third diminishing group… Bears supporters but tgey are listed as an endangered species facing extinction. Whichever of the two(and a bit) categories they fall into, news limited journalists are over represented in each
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
I don't get all the persistent aggro towards Manly these days. They're not tall poppies. The 70's and 80's have long gone. Frankly I reckon a lot of people who hop into the Sea Eagles would also boo Santa Claus.
jdoodle
Roar Rookie
Hopefully. He only got the dragons job because of his 2gb/foxsports cheer squad.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Read my post again mate. Stick to facts, not what your interpretation is.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
I watched an Australian side play against New Guinea last week . After looking at the team who played, I’d have to vehemently disagree with you about having to be a great player, to play for your country in Rugby League. If that’s what you’re trying to say? :laughing:
Phil
Roar Rookie
When they were kids growing up their family was heavily involved in local RL. Their father Gary played for the Cessnock Goannas and went on to coach them in the early '80s with the boys always around footy, it being part of their life. Andrew was ballboy when around 7yo. Of course they kicked the ball around like most footy mad kids do but they both had talent, talent to take them to the pinnacle of RL. To say Matthew was a hanger on to Andrew is your opinion and you are entitled to have one. You don't get to play for your country if you are merely a hanger on.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Right again mate. When Andrew stopped, Matthew was indeed ordinary. So ordinary he was retired for about five years.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
You can interpret it anyway you like? From your original reply to me, you’re saying that Andrew attributed a lot of his development to his brother. That also seems to indicate that they used to play a bit of football together as kids. Nonetheless, the original point was that Matthew was just a hanger onto , of Andrew’s footballing talent . There’s no real argument against that. Fair enough! I should have said when Matthew wasn’t playing alongside Andrew , then playing at Wigan & Cronulla, he was just ordinary!
The Barry
Roar Guru
You’ve told two different stories so I’m not sure which one is true…
Panthers
Roar Rookie
It’s also true. :thumbup:
The Barry
Roar Guru
Nice back pedal…
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Every day that they weren’t actually playing the game for some team. They would have been throwing the ball around together & with friends. Pretty sure that I’ve heard Andrew Johns say exactly that.
Tony
Roar Guru
Just preparing you for potential disappointment mate. Actually, without the burden of being the key playmaker and star player, I expect Brooks to have a great season. :happy:
Phil
Roar Rookie
They didn't play together growing up as there is a three year age gap between. It's only when they got together in the Knights system that they made the same team together.