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Looks like Steve Mortimer is behind the Hasler revolt.
Steve Mortimer fears Canterbury Bulldogs 'losing our DNA' under Des Hasler
Canterbury legend and director Steve Mortimer fears the Bulldogs are "losing our DNA" under Des Hasler ahead of a critical meeting that could determine the coach's future at the club.
Several Bulldogs directors are concerned about the direction of the "Family Club" under Hasler, with the issue to be thrashed out an emergency meeting on Friday. Hasler is contracted until the end of next year, while negotiations for a two-year extension - which have been ongoing for more than six months - appear to have stalled.
It's understood that if Hasler were to part company with the club, former Bulldogs forward and Raiders assistant coach Dean Pay is the favourite to take over.
Mortimer, one of the club's favourite sons, is a director of both the leagues and football clubs. The former halfback said he respected Hasler as a coach, but questioned whether the former Manly mentor was the right fit at Belmore.
"I've had a couple of footballers say to me as a director 'Turvey, we're losing our DNA, the Bulldogs,'" Mortimer told Fairfax Media.
"I sat down with them and I'm saying, 'I think we might be'.
"I'm old enough to have played two years with the Berries and I've got an idea of how the former coaches have strengthened the DNA of the Bulldogs in winning, getting up in the finals and even winning a premiership.
"The players who have come up to me saying we are losing our DNA and I've had a look at it and I understand what they're talking about. That's why the directors [want to] review this and look for the betterment of the Bulldogs to make them the greatest club and team.
Under scrutiny: Bulldogs coach Des Hasler. Photo: Getty Images
"It's about winning premierships. It's about being up there. It's about developing your own - even though I came from Wagga - good players. That certainly hasn't happened over the last five years."
The Bulldogs have made the playoffs in all five years Hasler has been at the helm, including two grand final losses. However, some powerbrokers feel they aren't getting enough bang for their buck since he joined. There are also concerns that Canterbury's junior system has been neglected, resulting in rivals pinching the district's best young talent.
"He has been there for five years and taken us to two grand finals, which is terrific. But there's a number of things in that," Mortimer said.
"We're worried about our junior rugby league. We really want to develop our junior rugby league so we can produce our own great players. There's certainly nothing like that happening in the last five years."
Hasler has had control over his football staff appointments throughout his tenure, although that was recently put to a halt. A number of staffers brought in by Hasler - including recruiters Noel Cleal and mind coach John Novak - have parted company with the club in the off season. Some have perceived this as a weakening of Hasler's power base at the blue and whites.
"When I came on board I didn't understand that he would bring eight or 10 people with him or whatever it may be," Mortimer said.
"To me, I'm old school and I don't think that's appropriate."
Another legendary Bulldog, Terry Lamb, had previously stated he believed Hasler didn't understand the club's culture. Asked about that observation, Mortimer said: "As a director and former player, with Terry Lamb, I do now know where he is coming from."
It's understood the performance of CEO Raelene Castle and several other issues will be addressed on Friday.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...our-dna-under-des-hasler-20161011-gs007y.html
Steve Mortimer fears Canterbury Bulldogs 'losing our DNA' under Des Hasler
Canterbury legend and director Steve Mortimer fears the Bulldogs are "losing our DNA" under Des Hasler ahead of a critical meeting that could determine the coach's future at the club.
Several Bulldogs directors are concerned about the direction of the "Family Club" under Hasler, with the issue to be thrashed out an emergency meeting on Friday. Hasler is contracted until the end of next year, while negotiations for a two-year extension - which have been ongoing for more than six months - appear to have stalled.
It's understood that if Hasler were to part company with the club, former Bulldogs forward and Raiders assistant coach Dean Pay is the favourite to take over.
Mortimer, one of the club's favourite sons, is a director of both the leagues and football clubs. The former halfback said he respected Hasler as a coach, but questioned whether the former Manly mentor was the right fit at Belmore.
"I've had a couple of footballers say to me as a director 'Turvey, we're losing our DNA, the Bulldogs,'" Mortimer told Fairfax Media.
"I sat down with them and I'm saying, 'I think we might be'.
"I'm old enough to have played two years with the Berries and I've got an idea of how the former coaches have strengthened the DNA of the Bulldogs in winning, getting up in the finals and even winning a premiership.
"The players who have come up to me saying we are losing our DNA and I've had a look at it and I understand what they're talking about. That's why the directors [want to] review this and look for the betterment of the Bulldogs to make them the greatest club and team.
Under scrutiny: Bulldogs coach Des Hasler. Photo: Getty Images
"It's about winning premierships. It's about being up there. It's about developing your own - even though I came from Wagga - good players. That certainly hasn't happened over the last five years."
The Bulldogs have made the playoffs in all five years Hasler has been at the helm, including two grand final losses. However, some powerbrokers feel they aren't getting enough bang for their buck since he joined. There are also concerns that Canterbury's junior system has been neglected, resulting in rivals pinching the district's best young talent.
"He has been there for five years and taken us to two grand finals, which is terrific. But there's a number of things in that," Mortimer said.
"We're worried about our junior rugby league. We really want to develop our junior rugby league so we can produce our own great players. There's certainly nothing like that happening in the last five years."
Hasler has had control over his football staff appointments throughout his tenure, although that was recently put to a halt. A number of staffers brought in by Hasler - including recruiters Noel Cleal and mind coach John Novak - have parted company with the club in the off season. Some have perceived this as a weakening of Hasler's power base at the blue and whites.
"When I came on board I didn't understand that he would bring eight or 10 people with him or whatever it may be," Mortimer said.
"To me, I'm old school and I don't think that's appropriate."
Another legendary Bulldog, Terry Lamb, had previously stated he believed Hasler didn't understand the club's culture. Asked about that observation, Mortimer said: "As a director and former player, with Terry Lamb, I do now know where he is coming from."
It's understood the performance of CEO Raelene Castle and several other issues will be addressed on Friday.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...our-dna-under-des-hasler-20161011-gs007y.html
