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ROOSTERS supremo Nick Politis answers his mobile phone and says he doesn't feel like talking.
At least he's honest. But Politis knows he hasn't become one of the most influential figures in rugby league, a mega-rich car dealer and corporate high-flyer by listening to the little voice inside his head.
Because when The Sunday Telegraph asks if he could spare five minutes last week, Politis hangs up 45 minutes later.
Like so many occasions during his 33-year love affair with the Roosters, Politis' heart has again overruled his head. "I suppose it's hard not speak passionately about things that mean so much to you,'' Politis says.
Politis is also willing to break his silence on the game's No1 talking point - the Willie Mason contract saga. He says last year's wooden-spooners will move on with or without the human headline. "Our club motto going forward next year is, 'New Attitude. New Beginning','' Politis says. "We're not going to give up. We won't lie down for anyone.''
FREE WILLIE
Mason has Politis' full backing to continue negotiations with Japanese Rugby or the UK Super League. "He's been to Japan and there's some interest there, so we've decided he should extend his leave until it's sorted out,'' Politis says.
Asked what Mason's Roosters team-mates would be thinking as they go through pre-season training, Politis replies: "We didn't think it would be appropriate for him to come back while all that is going on. He asked for the leave and from his point of view he's only got one year at our place, so it's obvious he's not going to be here any longer than that."
"So if he can go and get himself a two- or three-year contract somewhere, good luck to him. Hopefully he can do a good deal for himself.''
But Politis did decline to answer if it was worth the heartache of luring Mason away from the Bulldogs in 2007. "I'm not going to go into that,'' he says. "At the time when we bought him it was the right decision. If you remember the first few games he was outstanding."
"He played a great game against Canterbury that day at Homebush, but then he got that leg injury and ... the rest you know.''
BRIAN SMITH
It has taken the club three years to get over the effect of Wayne Bennett's back-flip in 2006, when he had agreed to coach the Roosters. Chris Anderson was only ever a stop-gap solution, while Brad Fittler wasn't cut out to be an NRL coach.
Politis hates talking about Fittler's downfall at the Roosters.
The pair share a remarkable bond that remains strong.
But the impact after the arrival last month of veteran coach Brian Smith is hard for even Politis to ignore. Boasting a strict code-of-conduct, new coaching staff, revised training program, the introduction of hi-tech GPS systems and much-needed discipline, the Roosters overhaul is in full swing.
From the front office to the training paddock, there is a noticeable spring in the step of everyone at the club. "Brian's very professional. Everybody knows that for the next 10 weeks they've got their training programs and know exactly when to turn up and where,'' Politis says.
"I don't know Brian too well yet, but what I do know is he's very passionate. And he's very big on detail, which we lacked before. The little things have got to be done right. He's been coaching 24 years and you can't beat experience.''
TODD CARNEY
At a farewell dinner for Roosters stalwart Craig Fitzgibbon last weekend, Politis parked himself next to controversial Canberra recruit Todd Carney. "It's just another thing we're trying to change at the Roosters,'' Politis says. "Instead of the old board members on our own table, we sat with the players."
"I want to try to close the gap. But Todd's a pretty good guy. Obviously when he had a few beers in the past he didn't handle it too well. But you learn the hard way in life. And it's got to the point where he's not even drinking now."
"The way things are today, most players you sign up are a gamble. But he knows the rules and I'm confident he's going to be good value and he'll stick by our code of conduct. We're here to help him and he knows that. I'd be very disappointed if anything did happen.''
NEW ERA
Politis, who has had a 33-year association with the club and became chairman in 1993, says last season was without doubt his toughest year at the Roosters. "It was embarrassing,'' he says. "I said at our awards night, it was very disappointing. I apologised to the supporters and the fans."
"Coming last for the first time since 1966 ... it's hard. But we can only go up from that, and we'll come back.''
It was a year littered by off-field scandal, which Politis has declared he won't be put through again.
Winning back the faith of fans and sponsors is at the top of his agenda. The Roosters remain without a major sponsor after Samsung failed to continue its six-year partnership beyond this year.
"Samsung came to us two years ago over a lunch and told us that they would be taking their business in a new direction,'' Politis says. "I'm not saying what happened this year helped us, but I'm confident we've put the systems in place to prove we're more than a worthwhile investment.''
At least he's honest. But Politis knows he hasn't become one of the most influential figures in rugby league, a mega-rich car dealer and corporate high-flyer by listening to the little voice inside his head.
Because when The Sunday Telegraph asks if he could spare five minutes last week, Politis hangs up 45 minutes later.
Like so many occasions during his 33-year love affair with the Roosters, Politis' heart has again overruled his head. "I suppose it's hard not speak passionately about things that mean so much to you,'' Politis says.
Politis is also willing to break his silence on the game's No1 talking point - the Willie Mason contract saga. He says last year's wooden-spooners will move on with or without the human headline. "Our club motto going forward next year is, 'New Attitude. New Beginning','' Politis says. "We're not going to give up. We won't lie down for anyone.''
FREE WILLIE
Mason has Politis' full backing to continue negotiations with Japanese Rugby or the UK Super League. "He's been to Japan and there's some interest there, so we've decided he should extend his leave until it's sorted out,'' Politis says.
Asked what Mason's Roosters team-mates would be thinking as they go through pre-season training, Politis replies: "We didn't think it would be appropriate for him to come back while all that is going on. He asked for the leave and from his point of view he's only got one year at our place, so it's obvious he's not going to be here any longer than that."
"So if he can go and get himself a two- or three-year contract somewhere, good luck to him. Hopefully he can do a good deal for himself.''
But Politis did decline to answer if it was worth the heartache of luring Mason away from the Bulldogs in 2007. "I'm not going to go into that,'' he says. "At the time when we bought him it was the right decision. If you remember the first few games he was outstanding."
"He played a great game against Canterbury that day at Homebush, but then he got that leg injury and ... the rest you know.''
BRIAN SMITH
It has taken the club three years to get over the effect of Wayne Bennett's back-flip in 2006, when he had agreed to coach the Roosters. Chris Anderson was only ever a stop-gap solution, while Brad Fittler wasn't cut out to be an NRL coach.
Politis hates talking about Fittler's downfall at the Roosters.
The pair share a remarkable bond that remains strong.
But the impact after the arrival last month of veteran coach Brian Smith is hard for even Politis to ignore. Boasting a strict code-of-conduct, new coaching staff, revised training program, the introduction of hi-tech GPS systems and much-needed discipline, the Roosters overhaul is in full swing.
From the front office to the training paddock, there is a noticeable spring in the step of everyone at the club. "Brian's very professional. Everybody knows that for the next 10 weeks they've got their training programs and know exactly when to turn up and where,'' Politis says.
"I don't know Brian too well yet, but what I do know is he's very passionate. And he's very big on detail, which we lacked before. The little things have got to be done right. He's been coaching 24 years and you can't beat experience.''
TODD CARNEY
At a farewell dinner for Roosters stalwart Craig Fitzgibbon last weekend, Politis parked himself next to controversial Canberra recruit Todd Carney. "It's just another thing we're trying to change at the Roosters,'' Politis says. "Instead of the old board members on our own table, we sat with the players."
"I want to try to close the gap. But Todd's a pretty good guy. Obviously when he had a few beers in the past he didn't handle it too well. But you learn the hard way in life. And it's got to the point where he's not even drinking now."
"The way things are today, most players you sign up are a gamble. But he knows the rules and I'm confident he's going to be good value and he'll stick by our code of conduct. We're here to help him and he knows that. I'd be very disappointed if anything did happen.''
NEW ERA
Politis, who has had a 33-year association with the club and became chairman in 1993, says last season was without doubt his toughest year at the Roosters. "It was embarrassing,'' he says. "I said at our awards night, it was very disappointing. I apologised to the supporters and the fans."
"Coming last for the first time since 1966 ... it's hard. But we can only go up from that, and we'll come back.''
It was a year littered by off-field scandal, which Politis has declared he won't be put through again.
Winning back the faith of fans and sponsors is at the top of his agenda. The Roosters remain without a major sponsor after Samsung failed to continue its six-year partnership beyond this year.
"Samsung came to us two years ago over a lunch and told us that they would be taking their business in a new direction,'' Politis says. "I'm not saying what happened this year helped us, but I'm confident we've put the systems in place to prove we're more than a worthwhile investment.''
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