CANTERBURY are expected to offer coach Des Hasler a new two-year contract in a development that fits nicely with the Bulldogs’ surprise 10-7 win over Brisbane.
Before kick-off in wet and windy conditions at ANZ Stadium in the opening match of NRL round five, Dogs directors met amid intense speculation Hasler’s tenure at the club was coming to an end.
But CEO Raelene Castle told the Sydney Morning Herald:Â “We’ve got a position now we’ll present to Des’ management and we’re hopeful that will result in a favourable outcome.
“There’s still some hoops to jump through to make sure everything is sorted. But it continues to look very positive.”
Hasler played down the pressure he had been under before the game, saying: “Was there a monkey on the back? I don’t know. You tossed it up.”
Captain James Graham said he wasn’t even aware of the board meeting (continued below)
Brisbane led 7-0 at halftime but second half tries to Josh Reynolds and Brad Abbey secured a much-needed win after last week’s 36-0 loss to Manly.
Broncos coach Wayne Bennett admitted an “inability to know the rules” prompted a crucial error from Jordan Kahu, who played at a Canterbury line drop out before a crucial Bulldogs try.
“It’s no-one else’s fault,” said Bennett. “I haven’t spoken to him about it, it’s done. It just swung the game. They scored on the next set.
“In tight games line that, it will always come down to something you shouldn’t have done because there was nothing in the game.”
