Sacked Des Hasler’s contract extension could cost Canterbury a $1 million payout

A DEAL made during a meeting with Bulldogs chairman Ray Dib six months ago has put Canterbury at risk of a $1m payout to sacked coach Des Hasler.

A SIX-hour marathon meeting at the Pullman Hotel at Sydney Olympic Park sealed the deal that has put Canterbury at risk of a $1 million payout to sacked coach Des Hasler.

The Monday afternoon pow-wow began at 2pm on April 3 this year, resulting in Bulldogs chairman Ray Dib and Hasler penning their signatures on a $2 million heads-of-agreement extension to keep the coach in charge until the end of 2019.

Dib and chief executive Raelene Castle organised a club media release to be emailed to every major media outlet at 6.32pm the same day, confirming Hasler was staying inside the Kennel.

Media were asked to gather the following morning at Belmore where Des Hasler would be available for comment.

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Canterbury chairman Ray Dib. Photo: Gregg Porteous

Former club CEO Raelene Castle stated on the club’s website: “Des is a proven coach.

“His record over the years shows that and we are extremely pleased that negotiations have resulted in Des remaining at the club until the end of the 2019 season.

“This contract extension build on the last five years of growth within our football program and Des is looking forward to the next two years.’’

Eight days later, chuffed to have ended all uncertainty over Hasler’s future, Dib, Castle, Hasler and his agent George Mimis celebrated over dinner at a lavish Baranagroo establishment, Banksii.

Yet despite all this, the heads-of-agreement document that bears Hasler and Dib’s signature’s is now at the centre of an ugly contractual dispute.

Hasler’s legal team met on Wednesday to receive advice from a leading Queen’s Counsel, who notified them “the Heads of Agreement is clearly a binding contract.’’

Des Hasler could yet get his golden handshake. Photo: John Grainger

The dispute between Hasler and the Bulldogs revolves around Tuesday’s termination press release sent by the Canterbury club.

“The heads of agreement reached with Des Hasler for an extension of his contract were non-binding and a decision has been made not to renew his contract for next year,’’ the statement read.

Hasler and his legal team will pursue a payout of almost $1 million with evidence that Dib and the club repeatedly spruiked the head coach’s contract extension.

It’s understood an article in The Daily Telegraph will be used to build Hasler’s case.

17 days ago, Dib told colleague Paul Crawley: “(Hasler) has a two-year contract and we are just going to do a review.

“From there we’ll decide what needs to be changed.’’

Hasler’s lawyers poured over the heads of agreement paperwork on Wednesday.

The documentation includes a clear payout clause yet Dib sent club members a video message to further explain Hasler’s sacking. He specifically stated the club’s position in relation to paying out Hasler.

“Des’s current contract expires October 2017,’’ Dib said.

“The board has made the decision not to renew that contract. Going forward there will be no liabilities on the club for the next two years.”

The Daily Telegraph has been told the heads of agreement “is the most detailed contracts of Hasler’s 14-year career.”

The reason the watertight clause was added was due to the uncertainty surrounding the Bulldogs upcoming board elections in February.

Hasler was aware that any new board could look to move him on at any moment.

It is unclear why the club failed to deliver the long-form contract to Hasler despite telling his management on numerous occasions that the “contract is just about ready.’’