Manly are confident of heading off any interest from Canterbury in Trent Barrett by shortly finalising an upgraded and extended contract for their head coach.

Dale Finucane was never a household name at Canterbury even while featuring in two grand finals, but after three seasons in Melbourne the lock certainly appears like one that got away.

The Family Club is in turmoil after sacking their coach earlier this week.

Canterbury's decision to sack Des Hasler and replace him with another coach will work out cheaper than if they had stuck with him, although the club has less than six week to settle on a payout figure to avoid it eating into the new football department cap.

Bulldogs back rower Josh Jackson was left shocked by Des Hasler's sacking from Canterbury earlier this week.

Dean Pay has spoken for the first time of his desire to take over from Des Hasler at Canterbury.

Kieran Foran and Aaron Woods have assured Bulldogs chairman Ray Dib they will be at the club next year despite Canterbury axing coach Des Hasler.

Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has declared his assistant Dean Pay is ready to be a head coach.

Twelve months ago the Canterbury board were presented with two proposals. The first was a contract extension for the coach. The second was his termination and a blueprint to life after Hasler.

Dog days are over: The highs and lows of Des Hasler's coaching stint at Canterbury.

Departing Canterbury captain James Graham says Des Hasler's sacking at the NRL club is the wrong move, the forward crediting his mentor for taking him to his footballing limits.

Canterbury could be heading for a legal stoush with Des Hasler after the Bulldogs sacked the two-time premiership-winning coach.

In what has been described as one of rugby league's most selfless gestures, departing Canterbury captain James Graham secretly offered to take a pay cut in an attempt to keep Josh Reynolds at Belmore.

James Graham will move to St George Illawarra next season on a three-year deal.

Two years ago Penrith hooker Peter Wallace walked into Phil Gould's office and was told it was time to retire. Now he will captain the Panthers in this year's finals series.

St George Illawarra and the Canterbury Bulldogs are finalising the details of a deal that will see James Graham join the Dragons on a three-year deal next season.

Josh Reynolds and James Graham held back tears after the match as they reflected on a turbulent season that has left a question mark over the future of coach Des Hasler.

St George Illawarra have blown their shot at qualifying for the NRL finals, finishing ninth on the ladder after they threw away a late lead to lose 26-20 to Canterbury.

Josh Reynolds was asked to provide a few words of advice to Kieran Foran, the man who will be replacing him as a Canterbury playmaker next year.