NRL 2024: Des Hasler’s legal battle with Manly Sea Eagles set to hit $1.5 million

Des Hasler’s fight with Manly is now worth upwards of $1.5 million as Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold urges the club’s fans to show him respect on his return to Brookvale Oval this weekend.

Des Hasler’s return to Manly will take place amid fresh revelations that the Sea Eagles are bracing for a revised payout of up to $1.5 million should they lose their legal stoush with their ex-coach.

Hasler, a premiership winner as a player and coach with Manly, has been at war with his former club since he was sacked at the end of the 2022 season in the wake of the Pride jersey fiasco, a decision that prompted him to launch court action over the handling of his dismissal.

Manly offered Hasler a $565,000 settlement to go away quietly but he rejected the olive branch, instead opting to bring in the legal big guns to take on the Sea Eagles with millions now potentially at stake.

In their financial report for the 2021 season – which included a note in relation to the Hasler sacking – Manly revealed their failed settlement offer as well fears that an adverse decision in the courts could cost them as much as $1.19 million.

This masthead can now reveal that a revised assessment was included in their financial report for the 2022 season – which was only recently filed with ASIC – outlining concerns that a win for Hasler would cost Manly up to $1.5 million.

Des Hasler will return to Manly for the first time since his legal action against the club.

Sea Eagles officials remain confident they made their decision on solid legal footing and it won’t come to that. However, should the matter head to court some of the biggest names in rugby league are likely to be called to give evidence.

It provides some perspective about what is stake for both parties as they prepare for Hasler’s return to 4Pines Park on Sunday, which is likely to take place before a sold-out crowd with emotions on full tilt.

“On 21 August 2023, the company received notice from the former employee advising of the commencement of court proceedings,” Manly’s financial report states.

“The potential undiscounted amounts of the total payments that the company could be required to make if there was an adverse decision related to the litigation is estimated to be up to $1,500,000.”

Manly and Hasler were locked in mediation to resolve their issues but those talks hit a brick wall, leaving the courts to resolve the spat – the matter is due back in court in November.

Before then, Hasler will look to exact revenge on Sunday as he travels to 4Pines Park for the first time since his ugly split from the Sea Eagles, having taken charge at the Titans.

On his watch, the Gold Coast started the season slowly but have hit their straps in recent weeks and Hasler will be hellbent on getting one over his former club given the acrimonious way things ended.

While relations may be strained, Hasler’s successor Anthony Seibold has paid homage to the man he replaced and is confident the club’s supporters will show him respect on his return.

“Des is a legend of the club,” Seibold said.

“How many people win multiple premierships as a player and multiple premierships as a coach. He is a legend of our club and certainly in my eyes, he is one of the really elite coaches in our game and you could probably argue he is in the to five or six coaches that rugby league has ever had.

“I have the utmost respect for him. I am sure the supporters will recognise what he has done for our club and he has done a great job with a lot go the guys in that (the Manly dressing) room.”

Sea Eagles fullback Tom Trbojevic refused to get dragged into a spat over Hasler, instead insisting his only concern was maintaining Manly’s winning form.

“Des will be Des,” Trbojevic said.

“He obviously wants to win every game. It is not really what he does, it is what we do.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Des Hasler’s legal battle with Manly Sea Eagles set to hit $1.5 million