Cowboys Players Endorse Mason Bid

[Guest]

By Matt Marshall, Telegraph
January 28, 2010

North Queensland Cowboys stars Aaron Payne and Luke O'Donnell have endorsed the bid to bring Willie Mason to the Townsville club.

But Cowboys vice-captain Payne stressed Mason's fate ultimately was in the hands of the club's coaching staff and board members, not its playing ranks.

Mason's negative off-field image appeared to be at the core of Manly's decision not to sign the former Test forward, after reports of a fan backlash to a proposed move to Brookvale surfaced on Wednesday.

The Sea Eagles' decision leaves the Cowboys as the only NRL club known to be chasing the unwanted Sydney Roosters forward.

As the Cowboys weigh up whether or not to scoop up the controversial 24-Test veteran, Payne said Mason could prove a smash hit in the tropical north, a region far away from the Sydney spotlight that he has often struggled to escape.

"At the end of the day we want to win a premiership and there's no doubting Willie's football ability," Payne said. "But we (players) don't make those decisions.

"If he signed, it would be good for him up here, he'd be coming to a town where we don't get preyed upon by the media as much and he'd realise he's got a good opportunity footy-wise.

"I don't know him personally, but from a football point of view he could be really good for us, if he's fair dinkum and the Cowboys are fair dinkum."

Cowboys backrower O'Donnell, who has played both Tests and State of Origin for New South Wales with Mason, echoed Payne's sentiments.

"Personally I think he'd be an asset," O'Donnell said.

Other senior players - including club captain Johnathan Thurston and fellow ex-Bulldogs centre Willie Tonga - also believe Mason could help the club, who finished 12th in the 2009 NRL season.

North Queensland executive director Peter Parr said his club has begun an "internal research" process, expected to take days, to decide whether or not to offer Mason a contract.

Cowboys head coach Neil Henry is seeking a phone interview with Mason.

Despite receiving the players' tick of approval, a deal remains no guarantee as it is believed at least two Cowboys board directors are opposed to the bid.

[Johnny Tobin]

And Thurston will have a playmate.

[Guest]

Not sure what to make of this but I've been told that Willie met with the dogs today including Kimmorley and Ryan

With Noad and Folkes gone, who knows

[novice chook]

Hopefully Kevin Moore and Tood Greenberg will have the sense to tell the Wanka to keep moving on.

The Dogs have come so far in regaining their reputation and credibility. Having Mason rejoin them will mean all that effort comes to nothing.

Footy players stick together through thick and thin, there's no doubting that. It's up to management to make the common sense decisions for the good of the Club.

NC

[theGman]

And Thurston will have a playmate.

Coffs Harbour Part III.....

[Guest]

It wasnt all that long ago when Braith was pleading to keep the tosser

[Guest]

Not sure what to make of this but I've been told that Willie met with the dogs today including Kimmorley and Ryan

With Noad and Folkes gone, who knows

You have pretty good mail there MM.

As a footballer, I think he's a spent force.

As a person, there are still people at the club that are still pretty angry about the manner in which he left and the comments he made in the course of the process. ("It's just another colour ..." and so on)

I would be very disappointed if he returned, especially considering the discussions I have had with some of the office staff. He did nothing to endear himself there last year either when he was lurking around the club and his behaviour when he barged into the dressing room after a game. He also attended Hazem's retirement dinner, when some of the current first grade squad didn't ....

Although, the press release would be comical if he did.

[supermario]

i wonder if he will use wrestling and hulk hogan as an excuse to leave the roosters???

[Guest]

Ugh, I'm so sick of this circus!

[Guest]

Looks like NQ and Sloths will be the teams to beat. i think Mason could hit some damaging form playing with up in NQ

[Guest]

And Thurston will have a playmate.

will there be enough white chalk ;eft over in townsville to mark the field on a weekly basis????

[Guest]

will there be enough white chalk ;eft over in townsville to mark the field on a weekly basis????

I dont know about that, but the local woman better be put on notice......

[Guest]

Imo, who cares if he carves it up against us in 1 match.

I'm sure the doggies were feeling a bit hurt when he carved them up, but now whos laughing?

[novice chook]

All this talk about white chalk and women. What happened to the delusional view that the Wanka was a reformed character now that he was engaged yada, yada, yada.

You'll be posting that he indulges in the occasional alcoholic beverage next.


NC

[Guest]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...018866,00.html

Graham Murray tips North Queensland Cowboys to snap up Willie Mason
By Matt Marshall
January 29, 2010 Former North Queensland Cowboys coach Graham Murray has tipped his old club to do what their 15 rival NRL teams won't - show Willie Mason some love.

And Murray, who last coached Mason during New South Wales' 2007 State of Origin series loss, said the unwanted Sydney Rooster would prove a roaring success in Townsville if the Cowboys opted to sign the 24-Test veteran.

"I believe Willie will really deliver for whoever gets him," Murray said.

"Whether it's the Cowboys or whoever, Willie will give something back.

"He's going to be feeling really, really dejected . . . Whoever shows a bit of faith in him will have it given back plenty of times over."

Neil Henry's coaching staff and the Cowboys board of directors are weighing up the NRL lifeline with a final decision expected in the near future.

North Queensland's senior playing group, including Johnathan Thurston, Aaron Payne, Luke O'Donnell and Willie Tonga, have endorsed the bid.

"They'll do their due diligence but they won't muck around," Murray said.

"If the players are pretty comfortable with it, I think they'll probably go with him. You want to win a comp."

Murray, who guided the Cowboys to the 2005 grand final, was yesterday unveiled as coach of the Australian women's team, the Jillaroos.

He hopes Mason will find a new home in the NRL and is adamant Townsville could prove a great fit.

"I've got a bit of respect for Willie," he said.

"He was good to me, always respectful. He's had his moments but I don't know whether we can keep crucifying the guy.

"He's been kicked around a lot, hasn't he? The more you get kicked around, the more you want to prove a few people wrong."

Murray believes it would be wise to ensure the veteran, who has also played 13 State of Origins, steps down from representative football to safeguard the club should he recapture best form.
"At his age, if you're at club level, you'd be saying let's put all your energy into the club," Murray said. "I'll show some faith in you and you just give everything for my club and we'll give the other bit away for a while."

Gold Coast Titans coach John Cartwright labelled Mason's predicament a warning for all parties involved in the NRL.

"It doesn't take all that long to go from the top to running around with cap in hand," he said.

"I never had a problem with Willie. He was always a good contributor in State of Origin when I was involved. He had a good record there."


The bits in bold are pure comedy gold imho Willie winning you a gf and playing rep footy LMAO