Telegraph
DES Hasler is staring down the barrel of the worst losing streak of his illustrious coaching career as he attempts to finalise a new contract at the Bulldogs.
In the wake of Thursday night’s 28-24 defeat to the Roosters, the Bulldogs suffered a double blow with fullback Will Hopoate (fractured left eye socket) and winger Kerrod Holland (AC right shoulder) facing extended time on the sideline.
It only mounts more pressure on everyone at Belmore with the Bulldogs now having lost their last six games, stretching back to round 24 last year.
It equals Hasler’s longest losing run since his rookie year at Manly in 2004.
That year the Sea Eagles won their opening game but went on to lose their next six, before ultimately finishing 13th.
The Bulldogs’ last win was in round 23 last year against Manly in extra time. If they don’t get over the Warriors in their home game which they switched to Dunedin next Friday it will be the first time a Hasler-coached team has lost seven consecutive games.
It is not ideal for a coach trying to wrap up negotiations for a new deal that have dragged on for the best part of a year.
Hasler said before the start of the season discussions were “really positive” and he expected a new contract to be finalised soon.
But Matty Johns said on Fox Sports after the loss to the Roosters that he thinks Hasler will be heading back to Manly next year. Hasler’s name has also been linked to St George Illawarra.
Bulldogs chief executive Raelene Castle told The Daily Telegraph that while negotiations were ongoing, she expected Hasler to remain at Belmore next year.
“Both parties are continuing to work towards an outcome,” Castle said.
“It is positive. We haven’t put a time frame on it.”
Castle had heard Johns’ comments but maintained she was confident Sea Eagles speculation was not right.
“That is the same source as when I was driving down the road 24 months ago when Matty Johns announced the Bulldogs were going to sign Jarryd Hayne the following morning,” Castle joked.
“I was thinking, if that was happening I’d probably know about it.”
Asked if she thought Hasler would be at the club next year, Castle said: “Yes I do.”
While Hasler is going through a lean run now, his overall record speaks for itself.
Hasler has coached his team into the playoffs every year since missing out in his rookie 2004 season.
In that time he has taken teams to five grand finals, winning two premierships at Manly, and making two grand finals in his five years at the Bulldogs.
While the Bulldogs are without a win in 2017, it’s hard to fault their effort. They battled bravely against the Roosters to only go down by four points after losing Holland and Hopoate, and in round one they lost by six points in the Belmore slush to Melbourne.
DES Hasler is staring down the barrel of the worst losing streak of his illustrious coaching career as he attempts to finalise a new contract at the Bulldogs.
In the wake of Thursday night’s 28-24 defeat to the Roosters, the Bulldogs suffered a double blow with fullback Will Hopoate (fractured left eye socket) and winger Kerrod Holland (AC right shoulder) facing extended time on the sideline.
It only mounts more pressure on everyone at Belmore with the Bulldogs now having lost their last six games, stretching back to round 24 last year.
It equals Hasler’s longest losing run since his rookie year at Manly in 2004.
That year the Sea Eagles won their opening game but went on to lose their next six, before ultimately finishing 13th.
The Bulldogs’ last win was in round 23 last year against Manly in extra time. If they don’t get over the Warriors in their home game which they switched to Dunedin next Friday it will be the first time a Hasler-coached team has lost seven consecutive games.
It is not ideal for a coach trying to wrap up negotiations for a new deal that have dragged on for the best part of a year.
Hasler said before the start of the season discussions were “really positive” and he expected a new contract to be finalised soon.
But Matty Johns said on Fox Sports after the loss to the Roosters that he thinks Hasler will be heading back to Manly next year. Hasler’s name has also been linked to St George Illawarra.
Bulldogs chief executive Raelene Castle told The Daily Telegraph that while negotiations were ongoing, she expected Hasler to remain at Belmore next year.
“Both parties are continuing to work towards an outcome,” Castle said.
“It is positive. We haven’t put a time frame on it.”
Castle had heard Johns’ comments but maintained she was confident Sea Eagles speculation was not right.
“That is the same source as when I was driving down the road 24 months ago when Matty Johns announced the Bulldogs were going to sign Jarryd Hayne the following morning,” Castle joked.
“I was thinking, if that was happening I’d probably know about it.”
Asked if she thought Hasler would be at the club next year, Castle said: “Yes I do.”
While Hasler is going through a lean run now, his overall record speaks for itself.
Hasler has coached his team into the playoffs every year since missing out in his rookie 2004 season.
In that time he has taken teams to five grand finals, winning two premierships at Manly, and making two grand finals in his five years at the Bulldogs.
While the Bulldogs are without a win in 2017, it’s hard to fault their effort. They battled bravely against the Roosters to only go down by four points after losing Holland and Hopoate, and in round one they lost by six points in the Belmore slush to Melbourne.
