Hasler plays peacemaker at Manly - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Hasler plays peacemaker at Manly

02/04/2009 05:40:36 PM Comments (0)

With his club on the brink of imploding, Manly coach Des Hasler took the extraordinary step of pleading to board members to stop fighting as it was affecting the Sea Eagles' NRL premiership defence.

Hasler fronted the Sea Eagles' board meeting on Wednesday night to call for stability as the warring between co-owners Scott Penn and Max Delmege had been one of the many factors in Manly's winless start to 2009.

The well-respected coach spoke only briefly to the seven-member board but it was the catalyst for a peaceful resolution to months of bickering and may have saved CEO Grant Mayer's job.

Mayer was on the verge of being ousted before his contract expires in October because of a falling out with Delmege, but now has the chance to save his position at the next board meeting by presenting a detailed three-year business plan.

Mayer and Penn were in no doubt the coach's plea had resonated with the board members and played a significant part in brokering peace at Manly.

"Des is a stalwart of the club. He has a lot of influence," said chairman Penn.

"Des really just pleaded with the board that he needed stability and the board we all took that on and I think we've come out with a good outcome.

"He just reinforced three losses in a row; it's not where we want to be at the start of the season defending our title.

"We certainly have very big plans for the future and he reiterated that we can't achieve those plans unless we do have stability."

Typically, Hasler played down his role at the meeting.

"I didn't have to say too much at all. They're not silly. They have responded the right way. It's all about stability and direction. It was good," he said.

"Obviously there has been a few distractions but these things have well and truly been ironed out and put to bed. So we move forward."

Mayer had previously announced his intention to stand down at the end of his contract, due to the political in-fighting, but was now hopeful he could continue in the role beyond 2009.

He will present a detailed business plan at the next board meeting where it is hoped they will approve a contract extension.

Mayer is confident the cease fire between the owners will not be broken.

"Enough has been said publicly the last four months to last us 10 years," said Mayer.

"Things will be kept in house for us going forward.

"When you lose three games of football it certainly refocusses your thoughts of where it needs to be.

"No doubt the focus of this board and the entire football club has got to be on the football team."

Penn said Mayer's business plan had appeased the board members and went a long way towards restoring stability at the club.

"There were a few misunderstandings that have been rectified," he said.

"It wasn't becoming an embarrassment but certainly there were differing opinions and it did have to come to a head.

"We did make some significant inroads last night. Everyone was able to air some of the grievances and I think we are now on the same page."

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