After months, even over a year of speculation, Des Hasler was given the flick as coach of the Bulldogs. The writing was on the wall given how mediocre the Bulldogs were this season, especially after Hasler was already feeling the heat leading into this season and the predicament the Doggies found themselves in with Hasler filtered through to their boardroom, plunging the entire club into a pool of mayhem.

That chapter doesn't appear to be over though and a lot of work has to be done to get results right. It's not even just a case of showcasing a more effective style of play, the Bulldogs have salary cap issues and those who are much more familiar with this famed 'Bulldogs culture' see nothing of that in the current crop. Of course, these issues are all related and it's important to note that it's not just Hasler who has been forced out; Kiwi and the NRL's first female top-dawg Ralene Castle also stepped down from her post.

Castles didn't extend her contract and that split was far more amicable, although it's not crazy to suggest that the situation of the Bulldogs resulted in Castles and the Bulldogs board feeling as though this was the best option. From my perch, I view these problems as being a wee bit bigger than Hasler and it just feels as though the Bulldogs have entered a period of mediocrity, which happens to all clubs and has plagued many clubs for a long time. The Doggies are trending downwards, while Parramatta Eels and North Queensland Cowboys are two clubs that have emerged from elongated periods of mediocrity to enjoy differing success.

As we know, Kieran Foran is heading to the Bulldogs and was set to join his former Manly Sea Eagles mentor. I wrote a month or so ago about my concerns for Foran as he's missed much of the last two seasons through injury (ignoring missing games for his personal well-being) and when Foran has played for the Warriors this season, he's looked injured, perhaps he's played like he's injured as well.

Not only is Foran's own playing situation rather sketchy given his injury history, the Bulldogs don't have much of a roster even with Foran and Aaron Woods arriving. They'll have to unload some more players to get under the salary cap, after already shifting Josh Reynolds to the Tigers and James Graham to the Dragons. We can't overlook Sam Kasiano's departure to Melbourne Storm either.

As confirmation of Hasler's sacking came through, questions were raised about Foran's deal with the Bulldogs. We now know that Foran had no Hasler-related clause and it wouldn't really make sense for Foran to have one as he's only really focused on being closer to his whanau in Sydney. That's where Foran's situation moves away from going to the Bulldogs for 'football' reasons - joining a club with all their shit sorted, plans in place, all the footy boxes ticked etc - and closer to a matter of convenience. Even more so now that Hasler has left the building.

At this stage, I reckon Foran just wants to settle back into a routine with his whanau, in Sydney. Ideally that won't involve the same crowd that created much of this kerfuffle with Foran. The Bulldogs situation doesn't make a whole lot of sense and when you ponder that Foran replaces a Bulldogs hero in Josh Reynolds, with Reynolds basically being given the flick to make cap space for Foran, it's going to be interesting to see how Bulldogs fans respond to the arrival of Foran.

Chuck in Aaron Woods coming in for James Graham and two of the Bulldogs' favourite sons have been moved on to make way for big-money signings. The Bulldogs are in a hole, so you could go as far as saying that Woods and Foran are desperation signings.

We don't even know if Foran can reach his former, lofty heights and that could also become a sticking point given his price-tag. Foran looked fairly average this season for the Warriors, even though his graft and guidance to younger players couldn't be questioned. Foran's life should be more settled and that should help matters, all eyes will however be on Foran's performances at the World Cup for Aotearoa.

Our World Cup chances depend on Foran being at his best and the last time we saw Foran play for Aotearoa, alongside Shaun Johnson and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Aotearoa's attack looked about as lively as the Bulldogs'. Aotearoa ideally need Foran to fire and with Kodi Nikorima settling into halfback for Brisbane Broncos, which coincides with a medicore season from Foran, there's no certainties in the Kiwis halves combo any more.

Last week at the official launch of the new Vodafone Warriors Superstore wearing the new black on black club exclusive Jersey @nzwarriors

2,283 Likes, 16 Comments - Kieran Foran (@kieranforan) on Instagram: "Last week at the official launch of the new Vodafone Warriors Superstore wearing the new black on..."

Aotearoa can get by without Foran playing his absolute best, as long as the team is performing at a high level which is also no certainty from what we have seen from David Kidwell coached Kiwis teams. Much of the Bulldogs future, their next few years depends on Foran's input and come World Cup time, Bulldogs fans will gain insight into whether their club has entered a period lacking any level of success, or if 2017 was a blip in their impressive history.

Peace and love 27.

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