http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...ail-of-carnage-split-club-20111112-1ncxn.html
Hasler's trail of carnage split club
Adrian Proszenko
November 13, 2011
Exclusive
Rugby League Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Media day at Brookvale Oval before the Grand Final Des Hasler Monday September 26th 2011.Pictures Steve Christo
Divide and conquer
Des Hasler has left Manly a club in crisis following allegations he verbally abused one staff member and sought to lure another to the Bulldogs in breach of contract. Photo: Steve Christo
DES HASLER attempted to walk out on Manly for the 2012 season as far back as August 22 - even though he was already under contract with the Sea Eagles for next season.
The Sun-Herald has obtained a series of explosive emails from Hasler to Manly officials, as well as the findings from a scathing report on the coach by the then chief executive Graham Lowe last year.
With Hasler's move to the Bulldogs fast-tracked by his sacking from the Sea Eagles for alleged breach of contract, it can be revealed that the dual premiership-winning coach:
Allegedly verbally abused development officer Dave Warwick for not joining him at Belmore in a rant overheard by other staff;
Allegedly sat outside the house of another staffer for two hours with a letter of offer from the Bulldogs in an attempt to entice him to breach his Manly contract;
Told Lowe that veteran media manager Peter Peters ''shouldn't be here'' during his coaching review;
Told chairman Scott Penn via email that he intended to ''immediately accept employment elsewhere for 2012 and beyond'' just weeks before the finals after the club came short of his asking price for 2013 and beyond.
The Sun-Herald put the first two allegations to Hasler, to which he replied: ''No, I deny those allegations, they are not accurate.
''More importantly, in the context of wanting to move forward positively for all parties, I see no value in looking to dredge up unsubstantiated rumours.
''I guess it can be seen as the end of a marriage where it would be easy for parties to throw mud with no real outcome. I do not wish to partake in that behaviour but as I said I would rather reflect on the successes.''
The developments will only increase the hostility between Manly and the Bulldogs, who are scheduled to meet on the field in an explosive match in round eight next year.
In a press release issued by his agent on Friday, Hasler denied he had breached his contract and claimed the board ''flatly rejected my proposal'' for an extension beyond 2012. However, in an email sent to Penn on August 22 under the subject line, ''Offer Next Steps'', Hasler - who had already exercised an option in his contract to remain at Brookvale for 2012 - wrote: ''
As you know, the recent negotiations have been conducted in relation to amounts of salary for the seasons 2012, 2013 and 2014.
''My salary for season 2012 is clearly not settled - that much is clear from the fact we are still negotiating about it
''You have previously stated that I should ask you for a release. As I have said, given that the amount of salary for 2012, it is not settled upon, I don't think that I have anything from which I require a release.
''Your current 'final' offer, dated 15 August 2011 is not acceptable.
''Given the Club has not been able to formulate an acceptable offer for seasons 2012, 2013 and 2014 then I am notifying you that I intend to immediately accept employment elsewhere for 2012 and beyond.''
Hasler had maintained that his decision to join the Bulldogs would not affect his ability to coach the Sea Eagles in 2012. However, it's clear the relationship between Hasler and chief operating officer David Perry was broken beyond repair. In response to Perry's seemingly innocuous comments in a press release following the release of the 2013 NRL draw on November 5, Hasler fired him an email which read: ''David pls refrain from making any comment about football or anything to do with back-to-back or any aspirations. Your comment is at best uninformed.
''If any of this is unclear pls make an appointment to discuss it with me.''
But perhaps the most startling insight into Hasler's conduct at the club was contained in a document compiled a year ago. Lowe conducted an interview with Hasler between 10am and 11:30am on October 30, 2010, as part of ''2010 season in review with head coach'' at the club's Narrabeen headquarters. Lowe stated that the report was ''not a witch hunt'' but felt a review was necessary because: ''During the 2010 season I have observed a number of alarming characteristics about our current Head Coach.''
The review was conducted in a question-and-answer format, with some of the key exchanges including:
Lowe: ''Are you prepared to cooperate in a more engaging manner next year with Peter Peters
he will have total say with all media issues from now on?
Hasler: ''Peter Peters shouldn't be here, he's not a professional, and he doesn't know what he's doing
''
Lowe: ''Do you understand that there needs to be a plan for a time when we may well have another coach?''
Des: ''No. What are you talking about?''
Lowe concluded: ''
Des asked me during the review whether I would support him for an extension in his contract for season 2013 and 2014 [I said no]
On countless occasions I have heard complaints regarding the behaviour of the Head Coach from Board members
there had developed an unworkable situation between the two of us
''
It had been suggested that Peters' sacking may have been one of the reasons that Hasler - believed to be a firm friend - wanted out of Brookvale.
