Hasler tackles Sea Eagles in court stoush over sacking

Des Hasler has launched legal proceedings against his former club Manly a year after he was sacked. (Flavio Brancaleone/AAP PHOTOS)

Rugby league coach Des Hasler has launched legal proceedings against his former club Manly a year after he was sacked.

The NRL premiership-winning coach is reportedly seeking compensation from the Sea Eagles after his contract was terminated last October. 

Issues between Hasler and the club were sparked at the end of the 2022 NRL season when seven players opted against wearing Manly's LGBTQI jersey in round 20 on religious grounds.

At the time, Hasler criticised the club's handling of the saga, saying players were not involved in discussions about the jersey and should have been consulted. 

The Sea Eagles were on the cusp of making the finals but lost seven straight games after the controversy and the club later sacked the coach.

Hasler had a year to run on his contract but his position came under scrutiny when Manly missed the finals, meaning the coach failed to satisfy a clause in his contract that would have triggered an automatic extension for 2024.

The matter is listed for directions in the NSW Supreme Court on October 20, when  Hasler will be represented by Daniel McGirr, a partner at Sydney firm McGirr lawyers.

The Sea Eagles declined to comment when contacted by AAP.

Hasler has been appointed head coach of the Gold Coast Titans on a three-year deal starting in 2024.

asler

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store