Still the man, for now: Bulldogs coach Des Hasler remains in talks with the club about his future. Credit:Getty Images "We have had no discussions with any other parties around coaching the Bulldogs." The Tigers sacked Taylor just three games into the season amid fears another campaign would "drift" away. However, Castle said there was no chance Hasler would be speared before his contract expired. "Des is contracted to us for 2017 and will be the coach for us in 2017," she said. Hasler's management remains in talks with Bulldogs powerbrokers about the prospect of a two-year extension. The former Manly mentor's tenure will be discussed at a board meeting on Thursday, just hours before the blue and whites host Brisbane at ANZ Stadium.

"It's a standard board meeting and of course it will be on the agenda," Castle said. "It's an important issue for the club and one of the most important decisions we make. "One result doesn't define a coaching season or a coaching career or a two-year extension. The board are working through those things with Des' management and they will make the right decision for the Bulldogs. "We haven't got a timeframe on it. Despite the external pressure, we're confident in the process and we'll continue to work through it." Hasler has guided the Bulldogs to five straight play-off appearances, including two grand finals. However, the club must now decide whether the current run of losses is an aberration or the beginning of a decline.

"You can't make a decision on a coach based on eight games or one game," Castle said. "It's about all of the different elements around a coach. Obviously winning is why we are all here and do we have the faith that he is the coach going forward. But there are a lot more elements that are important about coaching … making sure the coach is the right guy to take you forward for the next couple of years. "Stability is important and the decision around the coach is the most important and complex decision any NRL club makes. That's why the board is determined to work through their process and not be guided by outside influences." While most clubs would be happy to be a perennial finals contender, the only currency at the Bulldogs is premierships. It has been 13 years since their last and officials make no apology for setting the bar higher at Belmore. "That is the expectation of our board and management and our fans," Castle said.

"That's how it should be. Having made finals every year for the last six years – and two grand finals – is great. But it's been a long time since we held up the premiership trophy, way back in 2004. We want to make sure we put ourselves into a situation to do that. "As we have said in our strategic plan, we need to win one before 2019. "The reality of strategic plans is they are aspirational and we continue to aspire to one. If we can get more than one, that would be a terrific outcome for everybody at the Bulldogs." Tolman will celebrate his 200th first grade appearance on Thursday night. The prop was said he couldn't recall being involved in a worse performance, than the one against Manly. "I'd say it was right up there in terms of it being demoralising," he said.

Loading "We started off the season pretty well, we'd only won one game, but the other two games we were right in it and only beaten by six points and four points. "But to go out and dish that up, it was pretty embarrassing to the club and fans and members. For us it's about turning it around."