Graham's emotional tribute to Des

Outgoing Bulldogs captain James Graham has paid an emotional tribute to Des Hasler, just minutes after learning of his sacking.

The fiery Englishman, who'll be playing with St George-Illawarra in 2018, said he owed a lot to the coach he's had since 2012, the entire duration of his NRL career.

"I regard Des so highly and will be personally indebted to him for bettering me as both a man and a footballer," Graham said on NRL 360.

"He took me to my footballing limits and took a lot of those boys to their footballing limits."

SHOCK CONTENDER: Who will replace Hasler?

The 32-year-old also said Hasler deserved to be given a crack with the new squad he's assembled for 2018.

"He should have been given the chance to have that roster overhaul, and I believe that happened," Graham said.

"Some fresh faces brought in, a chance to bring new ideas in terms of the playing roster.

"I thought with this two-year extension, or heads of agreement as it’s been portrayed now, he should’ve been given the reins still."

Graham also said the playing group should take some responsibility for the demise of the club's playing standards in 2017, and that Hasler wasn't completely to blame.

Meanwhile, reports have emerged on Wednesday suggesting Hasler and the Bulldogs could go to court over his contract situation.

The club's chairman Ray Dib claimed in a statement that deal was never legally binding.

"The heads of agreement reached with Des Hasler for an extension of his contract were non-binding and a decision has been made not to renew his contract for next year," he said

According to News Corp Australia, Hasler is said to have waited the whole season for a finalised $2 million contract that never arrived from the club.

In turn, it meant the Bulldogs believed they could simply make the decision not to retain Hasler into next season, potentially without the hefty payout that would have accompanied his sacking.

With AAP