No payout for Hasler: Bulldogs

[Dogzof95]

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs chairman Ray Dib insists the club will not be paying out sacked coach Des Hasler's contract despite announcing the former coach's extension in April.

Hasler was given his marching orders on Tuesday after months of speculation came to an end following the Bulldogs' poor 2017 season.

With former CEO Raelene Castle also departing, the board agreed a fresh start was required across the club with high profile recruits Aaron Woods and Kieran Foran signed on for next season.

Speculation the Bulldogs would be required to pay out Hasler's final two years of his deal was shut down on Wednesday by Dib, who said Hasler's new deal was a verbal agreement and not official.

"Back in April of 2017 we entered into a non-binding agreement with the coach," Dib told bulldogs.com.au.

"Des's contract ends in October 2017 and the board has made a decision not to renew that contract.

"Going forward there will be no liabilities moving forward for the next two years."

Dib said the board came to its decision following a review and input from senior players at the club.

The announcement comes as the club also farewelled skipper James Graham and local favourite Josh Reynolds last week to all but end a formidable era at Belmore.

"We've finalised an end-of-year review and have decided the time is right now for change," Dib said.

"The findings were clearly there we were due for change and this is the right time.

"It's always a tough decision, especially when you've got a high profile coach that spent six years at the club and got us to two grand final appearances."

The players were notified of Hasler's demise prior to the official announcement on Tuesday afternoon.

New recruits Foran and Woods were also told and Dib remained adamant the pair remained committed to the club.

"The senior playing group were involved in the thorough review and I've spoken to some senior players and advised them of our decision," Dib said.

"We keep in constant contact [with new recruits] and I've spoken to both of them not long ago and advised them of the new direction of the club.

"They're looking forward to wearing the blue and white colours next year. With a new coach, CEO and marquee signings in 2018, the time is right."

The board are now on the hunt for a new head coach with Canberra Raiders assistant Dean Pay considered a favourite, while former Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire is also an option.

Dib said the club was yet to open discussions with coaching candidates.

"No one at this stage, we've got to open it up and look for the best available person," he said.

"We've got passionate fans who deserve better and hopefully with the changes we've made it will bring success quicker in 2018 and beyond."

Interesting- Dib said the board came to its decision following a review and input from senior players at the club.

 

[Trendsetter]

Dib has been adamant about a lot of things. Turns out the more he tries to convince us, the more the obvious the lies become.

 

[Malla]

He will be paid a sum of $$ but not the full terms of the contract - that's what I have gathered from the article.

 

[flamebouyant]

Sounds like no payout to me!! If it turns out to be true, well fucking done!!!!

 

[Mr Invisible]

Dib can follow him... hes part of the problem not the solution.

 

[Como Dog]

Really surprised only a heads of agreement was reached/signed and no final contract was forthcoming. You would have thought Haslers manager would have set a deadline.

Great result if we don't pay anything out but Agree with the sentiment we will probably negotiate some $$$ but nothing like the contract value or what Des initially seeks.

If it does go to court, are there any legal eagles out there who know how a heads of agreement is viewed compared to an executed contract?

 

[doggieaaron]

Really surprised only a heads of agreement was reached/signed and no final contract was forthcoming. You would have thought Haslers manager would have set a deadline.

Great result if we don't pay anything out but Agree with the sentiment we will probably negotiate some $$$ but nothing like the contract value or what Des initially seeks.

If it does go to court, are there any legal eagles out there who know how a heads of agreement is viewed compared to an executed contract?

No idea but the club got advice from a queens council

 

[Como Dog]

No idea but the club got advice from a queens council

Sounds comforting, still suspect we will end up reaching some sort of agreement.

 

[_G-Dog_]

I dont get all the criticism dished out at the club.. they Keep Des & everyones upset thry sack him and same story

The Des page is closed, if it costs the club cash so be it, the MOST IMPORTANT thing is the next coach is capable of making us genuine contenders

 

[Dogzzz of War]

The club reported a 2 year extension to the world via its website and through the media.

This to me is evidence enough that an agreement was made between both parties. Whether a signature was put down on paper or not is irrelevant, the above is evidence of a contract and there will be a payout of some sorts somewhere down the line.

 

[Novdoggie]

If it is deemed that the contract is binding then Dib and the Board MUST stand down! Dib did state earlier in the year Des has a contract for the next two years. Now they sack him. The club doesn't have a leader, it is being run by people incapable of running an organisation and out of their depth.

There's only one way out of this and that's a FULL cleanout starting from the top.

 

[KLil]

The club reported a 2 year extension to the world via its website and through the media.

This to me is evidence enough that an agreement was made between both parties. Whether a signature was put down on paper or not is irrelevant, the above is evidence of a contract and there will be a payout of some sorts somewhere down the line.

I think there was a top 8 clause which is probably why the players I don't want to say it.

 

[Wolfmother]

Verbal agreement's are binding if there's evidence of it..

 

[blueyedsamurai]

Verbal agreement's are binding if there's evidence of it..

Des seems like the kind of guy that would record every conversation just to review it later, so there might be lol.

 

[Wolfmother]

Des seems like the kind of guy that would record every conversation just to review it later, so there might be lol.

Statistically speaking I think the odds are high that hes got evidence .

 

[GDR]

Verbal agreement's are binding if there's evidence of it..

well yes there is,,, they officially announced vi a number of platforms..

I guess the wording that was used is also important.....

 

[FaceBreaker]

You guys are fucken kidding yourselves if you think dib and the club are walking away from this so easy.

Dib has proven time and time again he is a fuck up and he can bet his kebab eating, oversized suit ass he is heading to court.

Des isn't walking away from this without a fight.

 

[Shnissss]

Really surprised only a heads of agreement was reached/signed and no final contract was forthcoming. You would have thought Haslers manager would have set a deadline.

Great result if we don't pay anything out but Agree with the sentiment we will probably negotiate some $$$ but nothing like the contract value or what Des initially seeks.

If it does go to court, are there any legal eagles out there who know how a heads of agreement is viewed compared to an executed contract?

It depends on the nature of the agreement and what was contained within it. The fact the club announced a 2 year extension won’t help our cause unless it was agreed between the parties for this to occur whilst maintaining that there was only a heads of agreement and no binding contract. May have been to avoid any noise and let Des focus on getting us to the 8? A lot of variables without knowing the facts it’s hard to say.

In all likelihood some legal proceedings will be filed. Judge will send them to mediation first and if both parties have their heads screwed on will come to an agreement there. No one wants a drawn out legal battle.

 

[gazza]

Dib is in for a rude shock if he actually believes this rubbish about no compensation given the agreement that was made and the representations Dib made publicly at the time.

 

[RookieDog]

Really surprised only a heads of agreement was reached/signed and no final contract was forthcoming. You would have thought Haslers manager would have set a deadline.

Great result if we don't pay anything out but Agree with the sentiment we will probably negotiate some $$$ but nothing like the contract value or what Des initially seeks.

If it does go to court, are there any legal eagles out there who know how a heads of agreement is viewed compared to an executed contract?

I have dabbled in the law from time to time.

If you want to know what counsel's advice to Hasler said contact the journalist who authored much of the double page spread in the Telegraph today and ask him who provided the advice.

He referred to key portions of the advice which he had allegedly had been told about and was even dumb enough to put the text in quotation marks in a couple of places.

If true and this advice shared even in part then = text book waiver of privilege and anyone - you, me, anyone - is entitled to see the advice.

I just checked and the journalist is named David Riccio and see page 62 of today's Telegraph