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Canterbury Bulldogs board needs to come clean and tell fans why Des Hasler deserves to keep his job
Paul Crawley, The Daily Telegraph
July 28, 2017 8:24pm
Subscriber only
CANTERBURY great Graeme Hughes says the Bulldogs board “should stand down” if they did not discuss Des Hasler’s future at this week’s board meeting.
In the wake of the disappointing loss to Penrith that ended the Bulldogs’ hopes of playing finals football this year, frustration has only intensified from fans and former players over the lacklustre style of attack the team is playing.
The Bulldogs have now lost eight of their last 10 games with their only wins in that period against St George Illawarra in round 14 and the desperate last minute comeback victory over Newcastle in round 18.
Questions are also being asked over their recruitment strategy under Hasler with local juniors Josh Reynolds and Sam Kasiano moving on at the end of the season to make way for Kieran Foran and Aaron Woods.
Graeme Hughes has demanded action from the Bulldogs board.
There is also mounting speculation the club is still attempting to shift more under contract players.
Hasler was given a two-year extension earlier this year with chairman Ray Dib and outgoing chief executive Raelene Castle instrumental in doing the deal.
It would cost the club a fortune if they were to sack Hasler now, even if they had a get-out clause written into his new contract.
In his fifth season with the club, this will be the first year the Bulldogs haven’t played finals football under Hasler.
It is understood the feeling at board level is Hasler has earned the right to fight his way out of the current situation.
Hasler fronted the board on Tuesday nightbut claimed after the meeting that his future wasn’t discussed.
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That comment went down like a lead balloon with Hughes who said if that was the case the board “should be ashamed”.
“If that board never raised anything strong with him then they should stand down, the lot of them,” Hughes said on 2SM.
“But if they did raise something strong with him and then he freely spoke about something that happened in a board room, then somebody should have come out and pulled him into line.
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“I can’t see the chairman doing that, Ray Dib, I think he is under more pressure than Hasler.”
Dib could not be contacted yesterday with The Daily Telegraph told he had lost his phone and changed numbers after returning from a recent overseas trip.
There will be board elections early next year and given the current agitation you can expect the current board will be under huge pressure.
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Hughes isn’t the only former player who has questioned the club’s direction under Hasler.
Steve Mortimer stood down from the board late last year in protest, while Terry Lamb also raised his concerns.
There was also speculation this week of unrest within the playing group.
Comments from former skipper Michael Ennis also suggested all was not well.
Ennis remains close with several former teammates and it was interesting to hear him suggest Hasler’s “bark” was losing its impact.
Calling for the club to part ways with Hasler, Ennis remarked: “To me it looks a bit like you walk down the same road, the same dog barks — it scares you the first time, but afterwards you know he is going to do it.”
Paul Crawley, The Daily Telegraph
July 28, 2017 8:24pm
Subscriber only
CANTERBURY great Graeme Hughes says the Bulldogs board “should stand down” if they did not discuss Des Hasler’s future at this week’s board meeting.
In the wake of the disappointing loss to Penrith that ended the Bulldogs’ hopes of playing finals football this year, frustration has only intensified from fans and former players over the lacklustre style of attack the team is playing.
The Bulldogs have now lost eight of their last 10 games with their only wins in that period against St George Illawarra in round 14 and the desperate last minute comeback victory over Newcastle in round 18.
Questions are also being asked over their recruitment strategy under Hasler with local juniors Josh Reynolds and Sam Kasiano moving on at the end of the season to make way for Kieran Foran and Aaron Woods.
Graeme Hughes has demanded action from the Bulldogs board.
There is also mounting speculation the club is still attempting to shift more under contract players.
Hasler was given a two-year extension earlier this year with chairman Ray Dib and outgoing chief executive Raelene Castle instrumental in doing the deal.
It would cost the club a fortune if they were to sack Hasler now, even if they had a get-out clause written into his new contract.
In his fifth season with the club, this will be the first year the Bulldogs haven’t played finals football under Hasler.
It is understood the feeling at board level is Hasler has earned the right to fight his way out of the current situation.
Hasler fronted the board on Tuesday nightbut claimed after the meeting that his future wasn’t discussed.
SWITCH: Keary knew he’d made the right call
TOTAL: Can Bulldogs catch El Magic?
That comment went down like a lead balloon with Hughes who said if that was the case the board “should be ashamed”.
“If that board never raised anything strong with him then they should stand down, the lot of them,” Hughes said on 2SM.
“But if they did raise something strong with him and then he freely spoke about something that happened in a board room, then somebody should have come out and pulled him into line.
Sponsor Content
New seven wonders you can’t miss
“I can’t see the chairman doing that, Ray Dib, I think he is under more pressure than Hasler.”
Dib could not be contacted yesterday with The Daily Telegraph told he had lost his phone and changed numbers after returning from a recent overseas trip.
There will be board elections early next year and given the current agitation you can expect the current board will be under huge pressure.
LEAGUE CENTRAL PODCAST: David Riccio, Paul Suttor and Christian Nicolussi discuss Sia Soliola’s ban, the trouble with refs and whether Paul Gallen is the greatest Shark of all
Hughes isn’t the only former player who has questioned the club’s direction under Hasler.
Steve Mortimer stood down from the board late last year in protest, while Terry Lamb also raised his concerns.
There was also speculation this week of unrest within the playing group.
Comments from former skipper Michael Ennis also suggested all was not well.
Ennis remains close with several former teammates and it was interesting to hear him suggest Hasler’s “bark” was losing its impact.
Calling for the club to part ways with Hasler, Ennis remarked: “To me it looks a bit like you walk down the same road, the same dog barks — it scares you the first time, but afterwards you know he is going to do it.”
