Des Hasler facing the axe at Canterbury Bulldogs
DES Hasler signed a two-year contract extension only a few months ago - but the former Test star is fighting for his coaching life at the Bulldogs.
I am hearing that elements within the Bulldogs football and leagues clubs boards are set to push to pay Hasler out if the Bulldogs fail to make the finals.
Sources say although Hasler signed a massive deal, his payour is capped at around $500,000 a season, making it feasible for the Dogs to pay him out.
If he does go, the club will push for former favourite son Dean Pay to take over as head coach.
Pay has served a long apprenticeship and is currently Ricky Stuart’s right-hand man at Canberra.
Canterbury have lost six of their last seven games and are playing with little confidence or cohesion in attack, putting their finals chances in real doubt.
The board is under massive pressure from irate fans, who are demanding changes be made at the club.
Hodgson to return to Wests
Brett Hodgson - a legend at the Wests Tigers - is set to return to the club next season as Ivan Cleary’s right hand man.
One of the heroes of the Tigers’ remarkable 2005 premiership win, Hodgson is a future NRL head coach and is currently an assistant at English club Widnes Vikings.
The classy former fullback is a Western Suburbs junior and still holds many of the joint venture’s pointscoring records.
Hodgson has been in England since 2009, finishing his playing career with stints at Huddersfield and Warrington, and is keen to come home to his beloved Tigers.
Titans to swoop in Bronco
I wrote in this column a couple of months ago that the Titans were poised to launch a raid on big brother Brisbane, targeting promising back-rower Jai Arrow.
Arrow remains unsigned at the Broncos and I’m hearing an announcement from the Titans is imminent.
Arrow is a handy player but struggles for a regular run in the strong Broncos pack - but could be a weekly starter at the Titans next year.
Wayne Bennett has a high opinion of the youngster and is trying to keep him on board - but the Broncos are struggling to match the big money the Titans have put on the table.
Andrew Gee appears at Horn fight
Former Broncos official Andrew Gee has been very scarce in Brisbane since the club’s salary cap scandal.
But him, along with former CEO Bruno Cullen, were among a who’s who of Australian sport in Brisbane for the big Horn v Pacquiao fight last Sunday.
Cullen was telling anyone who cared to listen he finished in the money, backing underdog Horn to win at a juicy $4.60.
