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"I want Willie at Manly" Says Bob Fulton
SEA Eagles great Bob Fulton last night threw his support behind the club's bid to snare Willie Mason - labelling the former NSW and Test star "an exceptional buy for Manly".
The Daily Telegraph can reveal Manly and North Queensland are Mason's last two realistic lifelines for an NRL start in 2010.
Contracted to the Roosters but no longer welcome at Bondi, Mason has attracted interest from Melbourne, Cronulla, New Zealand and Wests Tigers since he was given permission to look elsewhere last October.
But the colourful 29-year-old's off-field reputation has so far prevented him from finding a new home, despite the fact he's willing to turn out for little more than minimum wages this season.
Fulton, however, believes Manly coach Des Hasler can reform the powerhouse potential that won Mason the 2004 Clive Churchill Medal.
Fulton, Manly's only Immortal is imploring directors and fans to welcome Mason to the northern beaches.
"I think he'd be an exceptional buy for Manly," said Fulton, a former Sea Eagles coach and perpetually respected figure at the club.
"Given what's happened over the past six to eight months at the Roosters, I know he'd have a lot to prove. From what I know about Des Hasler as a coach, Manly would be the perfect place for Willie to turn his career around."
Sea Eagles CEO Graham Lowe confirmed Hasler wanted Mason at Brookvale and vowed to make a decision "either way" as soon as possible. Manly are still hunting for a sleeve sponsor this season, but Lowe said Mason would be judged on his merits. "I don't want this to be dragging on and on," Lowe said.
"We want to decide whether to pursue it as soon as possible.
"I've obviously heard a lot about Willie, but never met him.
"I'll make my judgment if and when I get that chance.
"Des has a good opinion of him, but I've got a range of other things to consider."
The Cowboys are also in the running after meeting with Mason's management in North Queensland yesterday.
It's understood senior Cowboys players want Mason at the club, and officials are preparing to discuss whether to make an offer over the next 48 hours.
Both Manly and North Queensland see Mason as a high-value proposition, given the Tigers came close to signing him for $60,000 plus a third-party deal that would not have counted under the cap.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal Manly and North Queensland are Mason's last two realistic lifelines for an NRL start in 2010.
Contracted to the Roosters but no longer welcome at Bondi, Mason has attracted interest from Melbourne, Cronulla, New Zealand and Wests Tigers since he was given permission to look elsewhere last October.
But the colourful 29-year-old's off-field reputation has so far prevented him from finding a new home, despite the fact he's willing to turn out for little more than minimum wages this season.
Fulton, however, believes Manly coach Des Hasler can reform the powerhouse potential that won Mason the 2004 Clive Churchill Medal.
Fulton, Manly's only Immortal is imploring directors and fans to welcome Mason to the northern beaches.
"I think he'd be an exceptional buy for Manly," said Fulton, a former Sea Eagles coach and perpetually respected figure at the club.
"Given what's happened over the past six to eight months at the Roosters, I know he'd have a lot to prove. From what I know about Des Hasler as a coach, Manly would be the perfect place for Willie to turn his career around."
Sea Eagles CEO Graham Lowe confirmed Hasler wanted Mason at Brookvale and vowed to make a decision "either way" as soon as possible. Manly are still hunting for a sleeve sponsor this season, but Lowe said Mason would be judged on his merits. "I don't want this to be dragging on and on," Lowe said.
"We want to decide whether to pursue it as soon as possible.
"I've obviously heard a lot about Willie, but never met him.
"I'll make my judgment if and when I get that chance.
"Des has a good opinion of him, but I've got a range of other things to consider."
The Cowboys are also in the running after meeting with Mason's management in North Queensland yesterday.
It's understood senior Cowboys players want Mason at the club, and officials are preparing to discuss whether to make an offer over the next 48 hours.
Both Manly and North Queensland see Mason as a high-value proposition, given the Tigers came close to signing him for $60,000 plus a third-party deal that would not have counted under the cap.
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