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On a warm afternoon at Coogee Oval, a car backfires in the distance as Willie Mason launches into his first of many 30m sprints.
"Boom," the colourful prop yells. "Did you hear that? I just broke the sound barrier."
Yep, after a knee reconstruction and six months on the sidelines, Willie Mason is back.
Bigger, fitter and faster than ever.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal Mason is poised to make his comeback in round one, a month earlier than expected, and according to his sprint coach Roger Fabri will play like "the Willie Mason that used to destroy people when he made his debut for the Bulldogs".
"We want him to try and be as big and powerful as he was when he first started," Fabri said.
"And he will be. We have condensed his stride length to really use that big frame. He is now building power in that first 10 and 15 metres.
"I think you will see a very destructive player this year. Better than he ever was."
After running 30m in less than four seconds, the 114kg giant said he was ready to fire in 2009.
"We haven't done speed work for a while and Roger is unreal," Mason said.
"I think you will see some big improvements. I think speed is one of the most important parts of the game and coming back from a major injury I feel great.
"The power is great and I think I have gained speed."
Mason was not expected to make his return to the NRL until round four after injuring his knee in round 26 last year, but could turn out for the Sydney Roosters' season opener against the South Sydney on March 15.
"It is about a seven-month injury but it feels good," Mason said. "We will test it as it gets closer. It is a possibility. I am just feeling really good and looking forward to the season."
Joining Mason at the optional sprint session on Monday was new lock Braith Anasta, who has dropped a staggering 0.30 of a second from his 30m time since the beginning of the year.
"I think you will see a different Braith Anasta," Fabri said.
"He has gone from 4.40 to 4.10. He is really moving in the right direction and will be even faster when the season starts."
Fabri has been working with the entire Roosters squad this year to improve their sprint technique.
"Anasta was using his power in the wrong direction," Fabri said.
"He was very vertical and now we are getting him horizontal.
"As a squad they are all pretty good. The fastest is probably Anthony Minichiello and Sia Soliola, but the rest aren't far behind.
"And I think we can get them all running a bit quicker."
"Boom," the colourful prop yells. "Did you hear that? I just broke the sound barrier."
Yep, after a knee reconstruction and six months on the sidelines, Willie Mason is back.
Bigger, fitter and faster than ever.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal Mason is poised to make his comeback in round one, a month earlier than expected, and according to his sprint coach Roger Fabri will play like "the Willie Mason that used to destroy people when he made his debut for the Bulldogs".
"We want him to try and be as big and powerful as he was when he first started," Fabri said.
"And he will be. We have condensed his stride length to really use that big frame. He is now building power in that first 10 and 15 metres.
"I think you will see a very destructive player this year. Better than he ever was."
After running 30m in less than four seconds, the 114kg giant said he was ready to fire in 2009.
"We haven't done speed work for a while and Roger is unreal," Mason said.
"I think you will see some big improvements. I think speed is one of the most important parts of the game and coming back from a major injury I feel great.
"The power is great and I think I have gained speed."
Mason was not expected to make his return to the NRL until round four after injuring his knee in round 26 last year, but could turn out for the Sydney Roosters' season opener against the South Sydney on March 15.
"It is about a seven-month injury but it feels good," Mason said. "We will test it as it gets closer. It is a possibility. I am just feeling really good and looking forward to the season."
Joining Mason at the optional sprint session on Monday was new lock Braith Anasta, who has dropped a staggering 0.30 of a second from his 30m time since the beginning of the year.
"I think you will see a different Braith Anasta," Fabri said.
"He has gone from 4.40 to 4.10. He is really moving in the right direction and will be even faster when the season starts."
Fabri has been working with the entire Roosters squad this year to improve their sprint technique.
"Anasta was using his power in the wrong direction," Fabri said.
"He was very vertical and now we are getting him horizontal.
"As a squad they are all pretty good. The fastest is probably Anthony Minichiello and Sia Soliola, but the rest aren't far behind.
"And I think we can get them all running a bit quicker."
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