But the club is yet to decide whether Hasler will coach beyond 2017, with negotiations still ongoing about his longer-term future at the Bulldogs.

Mortimer resigned from his post as a director early in the meeting, moments after Hasler had addressed the board. Both men left ANZ Stadium soon after.

Club legend Mortimer breached Canterbury's code of conduct in his public criticism of Hasler earlier this week when he told Fairfax Media that the club was "losing our DNA" under Hasler, raising speculation that the two-time premiership-winning coach could be on his way out of Belmore.

Chairman Ray Dib emerged from the lengthy meeting alongside CEO Raelene Castle on Friday night and said the remaining six members of the Bulldogs board were "100 per cent" behind Hasler.

"The board tonight was unanimous that Des would be there for 2017 and Raelene and his management would be continuing negotiations going forward," Dib said.

"We had a fruitful discussion with Des and Des was quite satisfied.

"There's significant emotion and heightened pressure around this decision at the moment.

"Unfortunately tonight one of our most senior and decorated former players Steve Mortimer handed in his resignation.

"Steve has been a great servant of our club and will continue working with our club. We hope going forward that he'll be a part of our new alumni mentoring program that Des is going to start heading up."

Just what Hasler's new alumni mentoring program involves remains to be seen.

Mortimer, one of the club's favourite sons, will remain a director of the leagues club but fell on his sword following his public commentary.

"What I said to you … it breached the code of conduct," Mortimer told Fairfax Media.

"So I said, that being the case, I'm going to resign.

"I'm not angry at anyone, I'm probably angry at myself. I'm too bloody honest and share too much."

Mortimer and Hasler came face to face during the tense meeting, with the former adamant there were no hard feelings.

"We shook hands, not a problem," Mortimer said.

"2017 will be Des Hasler's year and then it's up to them to make a decision as to his future. That's not my worry now."

It's likely that Hasler will no longer have an iron grip on all operations of the football department. Some of his most loyal staffers – including recruiter Noel Cleal and mind coach John Novak – have parted company with the club.

While he is safe for now, Hasler will need a strong start to the 2017 season to ensure he remains at Belmore long term. The former Manly mentor was deep in discussions about a two-year contract extension but that has been put on hold indefinitely, although Castle indicated she hoped any new deal would be sorted out before next season had begun.

The former Manly coach has taken the club to two grand finals in five years, and has never missed the top eight, but questions have been raised over his suitability at the club since a disappointing finish to this season.

Meanwhile, the departure of Mortimer, who echoed the sentiments of fellow great Terry Lamb, creates an unexpected vacancy on the Bulldogs board although Dib said the club would not rush into filling the empty seat.

"At this stage there's no hurry, the board will discuss it in the future. Our constitution leaves it to the discretion of the board," Dib said.