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Free Willie: club will cope without star, Anasta says
Sebastian Hassett | November 3, 2009
FEW players could ever hope to fill the boots of Willie Mason, but the Sydney Roosters captain Braith Anasta is confident his side can rise in the table next year, with or without the imposing forward.
Mason flew out of Australia yesterday with the manager, Greg Keenan, to speak with representatives from Japanese rugby about making a lucrative cross-code switch following yet another year of off-field controversy.
Anasta, 29, has been granted a week's leave but must then report to pre-season training under the new coach Brian Smith if no deal can be arranged with his potential suitors. While the prospect of losing Mason looms large, Anasta denied that his side lacked experience and would be unable to cope with any departures.
'''Mini' [Anthony Minichiello] is there and also Lopini Paea, Sam Perrett and those guys coming back from New Zealand's [Four Nations] series,'' Anasta said before the club's first training session of pre-season yesterday. ''We've got some really good players and some good young blokes coming through. It makes my job and Mini's job even more important, but we're looking forward to the challenge.''
But the skipper, who counts Mason as a friend from their time at the Bulldogs and now the Roosters, said he did not know what would happen to one of the code's most iconic figures.
''That's up to the club management now .. They make the decisions and it's up to them. Because he's a friend of mine, he told me he's going to Japan, but I don't know much about the situation at the moment.
''Willie's achieved a lot in the game. He's one of my best mates, and I respect the bloke, but I don't know if he's going or not.''
The Roosters have repeatedly denied reports that they are eager to part company, but Anasta would not say if he expected the remaining year on Mason's contract, reported to be worth about $400,000 a year, to be honoured.
''I think everyone … wants to see their contract out, but the reality of … these days in rugby league [is] harsh and you don't know whether you're going to be there or not. You've just got to play the best you can.''
Mason's globetrotting exploits almost stole the show yesterday from the arrival of the Roosters recruit Todd Carney, who said this represented his last chance as a professional.
''I think everyone knows there are no more chances, me especially,'' he said. ''So I am just here to really give it a go and hopefully I can make a career out of it.''
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/lhqn...010149715.html
and u wonder why everyone bags them out
Sebastian Hassett | November 3, 2009
FEW players could ever hope to fill the boots of Willie Mason, but the Sydney Roosters captain Braith Anasta is confident his side can rise in the table next year, with or without the imposing forward.
Mason flew out of Australia yesterday with the manager, Greg Keenan, to speak with representatives from Japanese rugby about making a lucrative cross-code switch following yet another year of off-field controversy.
Anasta, 29, has been granted a week's leave but must then report to pre-season training under the new coach Brian Smith if no deal can be arranged with his potential suitors. While the prospect of losing Mason looms large, Anasta denied that his side lacked experience and would be unable to cope with any departures.
'''Mini' [Anthony Minichiello] is there and also Lopini Paea, Sam Perrett and those guys coming back from New Zealand's [Four Nations] series,'' Anasta said before the club's first training session of pre-season yesterday. ''We've got some really good players and some good young blokes coming through. It makes my job and Mini's job even more important, but we're looking forward to the challenge.''
But the skipper, who counts Mason as a friend from their time at the Bulldogs and now the Roosters, said he did not know what would happen to one of the code's most iconic figures.
''That's up to the club management now .. They make the decisions and it's up to them. Because he's a friend of mine, he told me he's going to Japan, but I don't know much about the situation at the moment.
''Willie's achieved a lot in the game. He's one of my best mates, and I respect the bloke, but I don't know if he's going or not.''
The Roosters have repeatedly denied reports that they are eager to part company, but Anasta would not say if he expected the remaining year on Mason's contract, reported to be worth about $400,000 a year, to be honoured.
''I think everyone … wants to see their contract out, but the reality of … these days in rugby league [is] harsh and you don't know whether you're going to be there or not. You've just got to play the best you can.''
Mason's globetrotting exploits almost stole the show yesterday from the arrival of the Roosters recruit Todd Carney, who said this represented his last chance as a professional.
''I think everyone knows there are no more chances, me especially,'' he said. ''So I am just here to really give it a go and hopefully I can make a career out of it.''
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/lhqn...010149715.html
and u wonder why everyone bags them out