http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/ne...ts-from-the-club/story-fndv2wg4-1226916485035
New details of Des Hasler’s 2011 switch to the Bulldogs conflict with previous statements from the club
May 14, 2014 12:00AM
Story by Josh Massoud
PRIVATE communiqués of Canterbury’s secret bid to steal Des Hasler from Manly in 2011 have emerged, conflicting with public statements from ex-Bulldogs CEO Todd Greenberg later that year.
Despite Greenberg maintaining all negotiations were focused on appointing Hasler for 2013, The Daily Telegraph has sighted correspondence that betrays Canterbury’s desire to install the premiership-winning coach at Belmore 12 months earlier.
The correspondence also reveals the Bulldogs were prepared to consider indemnifying Hasler against any legal action from Manly, which claimed the former Sea Eagles star had a binding contract to remain at Brookvale in 2012. After Manly terminated Hasler in November 2011, Greenberg publicly dismissed suggestions of coercion.
The latest revelations come as Greenberg, now NRL head of football operations, faces an Integrity Unit probe over his recollection of being shown a betting ledger detailing football wagers of late prop Ryan Tandy at a meeting in August 2010.
Greenberg has categorically denied being presented with the ledger by former racing reporter John Schell, who swore otherwise in a police statement and court testimony that were tendered into evidence during Tandy’s NSW Local Court trial in September 2011.
Then in charge of the Bulldogs, Greenberg started to pursue Hasler a month earlier, according to correspondence contained in a documentary time line assembled by Sea Eagles.
The correspondence asserts Hasler received a letter of offer from Canterbury on August 15 2011, which detailed a four-year deal worth $3.5 million. The nominated start date at the Bulldogs was 1 November 2011.
On 26 August, Hasler again received a letter of offer. This time, however, the correspondence included three additional assurances from the Bulldogs.
Hasler was told they read:
“1. Letter of Offer is valid and binding assuming exist (sic) from Manly at end of 2011 season is achieved.
“2. Bulldogs may elect to indemnify you should the option matter reach litigious position, at their discretion.
“3. Should the Bulldogs decide not to indemnify if they feel risk factors are too great, then the Letter of Offer will automatically revert to a start date of season 2013 to 2016 inclusive.
“Todd would like to have the letter of offer with the above variation signed on Saturday (27 August) this weekend.”
Although it detailed Greenberg’s position, the correspondence quoted from above was sent to Hasler by a third party who was acting on Hasler’s behalf at the time.
However, the correspondence clearly indicates Canterbury’s desire to bring Hasler on board for the 2012 pre-season. It also suggests the club’s willingness to consider indemnifying the prized coach in the event of Manly taking legal action, with Sea Eagles officials adamant that Hasler has previously exercised an option to remain on the Northern Beaches in 2012.
Furthermore, on the very same day he received notice of the second letter of offer, Hasler told Manly chairman Scott Penn of his intention to quit the club at the end of 2011.
Correspondence from Hasler to Penn on 26 August states: “Whilst it would be easy for us to be emotional given my long playing and coaching days at the club, I would rather that all move forward from our discussion and enjoy the successes that we have had. In this respect I formally advise you that I will conclude my employment at the end of this 2011 season.”
But when Manly terminated Hasler’s contract in November, clearing the way for Hasler to join Canterbury straight away, Greenberg gave several public assurances that the Bulldogs were always working toward the following season.
On 15 November, he told The Daily Telegraph: “No, to be fair, every discussion we’ve had was about 2013 ... Our plans were well and truly in place.”
On 22 March 2012 he participated in an interview with Daily Telegraph reporter Dean Ritchie on Channel Ten’s Game Plan show, which focused heavily on the Hasler negotiations.
When asked if he commenced negotiations while Hasler was still under contract at Manly, Greenberg replied: “I have answered this question before but I am happy to answer it again. The answer is no. All our plans were for 2013 and beyond.”
Greenberg also addressed speculation of Hasler being induced or coerced to breach his contract with Manly. On 12 November he told Triple M: “We are not in the business of coercing people out of their contracts or out of their arrangements.”
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