Bulldogs in crisis, "I'll quit if Hasler stays".

An emotional Steve Mortimer has vowed to walk away from his position on the Bulldogs’ board if Des Hasler is handed a new two-year contract extension at Friday’s emergency meeting.In what’s shaping up as a showdown between the man regarded as the Bulldogs’ greatest ever player and one of the best coaches of the modern game, Mortimer declared: “If they want me to resign, I will resign.“As a director I will go the best way I can in supporting (whatever decision is made).“But if I had to be asked to renew the new two-year contract I would say, ‘I am sorry, I will have to walk away’.”Canterbury great Steve Mortimer says it’s about more than statistics. Picture: Adam TaylorWhile many fans and rugby league experts are struggling to comprehend how Hasler could be fighting to save his future after taking the Bulldogs to two grand finals in his five years at the club, Mortimer did not back away from his belief it is time for change.He also revealed how he fronted Hasler at a recent board meeting to express his concerns about the lack of passion displayed in the disappointing finals loss to Penrith.“I spoke at the last directors’ meeting,” Mortimer said.“Des Hasler was there. I got some things off my chest. Maybe I said too much but irrespective of that. I was at the meeting, Des was there also.“Des came up and said stats about this and all that sort of stuff.“I did say the last game we played, the first half was pretty good, but at the end of the game I saw 13 players playing individually.“There was no passion. There was no helping each other in that second half. And I complained.”Mortimer is adamant the seven directors who will decide Hasler’s fate on Friday all have the club’s best interests at heart. And he said whatever decision they come up with he won’t dispute.“We have a seven directors and nothing will split any of those,” he said.“They all have business acumen which is great, but they all have brains as well in respect to where the club is going.”Is Hasler welcome at Belmore running out? Picture: Gregg Porteous.Asked if all the directors were on the same page, Mortimer said: “I would like to say that I believe that we are.”"" style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;">Mortimer also revealed how he offered his resignation on Wednesday to senior director Arthur Cooreyafter he declared the club was “losing its DNA” under Hasler.Mortimer made a point of saying he did not aim his criticism at chief executive Raelene Castle.“Look, I really like Raelene,” Mortimer said.“Her father was a coach at Turvey Park years ago and she is a very astute and good person. Maybe Raelene and I disagree about Des’s value, but that doesn’t matter, I still have respect for our CEO.”

"I thought Iongi born raised in Heron Queensland May born Blacktown raised in Mt Druitt first played Minchinbury jets first played juniors for Roosters maybe wrong but think it's right "

"Tell you what there's some talent running round outside back wise in Super Rugby right now that I think would be great league converts Leroy Carter Caleb Tungitau Leicester Fa'iangunuku Kyren Taumoefolau Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens all these guys…"

"I still think Semi is the best winger I've ever seen. He was the perfect mix of speed, power, and footy instincts, some of the stuff he pulled off was insane."

Replies

Longfin Eel October 13, 2016 at 9:09am

Well, well, well. Couldn't happen to a nicer club.
Viking Trump October 13, 2016 at 9:10am

maybe Des will spill his lollies as to how the dogs are cheating the cap if he gets booted out!!!!!

love to see the dogs in crisis!!!!
macybrown October 13, 2016 at 9:19am

Here I was thinking it was gonna be a boring off season.
Wile E. Coyote October 13, 2016 at 9:23am

Wonder who will pick up Des or will coach NSW
Michael Ericson October 13, 2016 at 9:25am

On paper this seems a bad decision when you consider Hasler has taken them to two GF's in the 5 years he has been there and hasn't missed a finals series, however If I was the Dogs board I would be concerned about the fact that Hasler continued to have his front row forwards play halfback when it was clear that this tactic just wasn't working anymore.

I think Hasler is a bit too stubborn, if something isn't working you have to try and fix it, Hasler seems determined to prove that his way works.

On balance probably the right move to bring in someone new because the Dogs were not going to get any closer to winning a comp with Des still at the helm.
CP October 13, 2016 at 9:26am

Des is gone..
- macybrown > CP October 13, 2016 at 9:34am
  
  Wonder if Tooves fits their culture ?
The Ape October 13, 2016 at 9:38am

Mortimer's a dill. Seriously, two grand finals in five years, finals every year? I'd take that. I recall former legends (Kenny, Price) calling time on Brian Smith. That worked out well.
- Wizardssleeves official receipts > The Ape October 13, 2016 at 10:29am
  
  I don't think it's Des's coaching ability that's in question . I have a mate who's an ex Dogs player and Official who told me that the players can't stand him and want him gone . They've tried weekends away and mediation type process's and Des won't come to the party . So you either start a whole new rebuilding process with new players who do want to play for Des or you punt Des . The fact he's offside with people outside the playing group as well kinda reinforces the fact that the players may have a point . It 1000% dates back to the release of Ennis as the start of the issues .
Longfin Eel October 13, 2016 at 10:50am

That actually sounds like Brian Smith. Yes he got us to the finals often, but he did not have the support of the players. Compare that to BA where the players will do anything he asks of them. I always thought it was a strange move by Canterbury to employ Hasler. They like to keep things in-house generally.