The Mason "is he staying or going?" thread

[Guest]

He has a guaranteed income for 2010 at the Roosters, and if he actually played some decent footy, maybe even an extension on that deal. The Roosters could do nothing if the bloke put his foot down and said 'I will prove to you that I'm worth keeping'.

It's all about showing a little determination and grit and not always walking away when the going gets a little tough.

Walking the walk rather than just talking the talk.


NC

I believe that was his intention when Smith was first signed,but Smith has made it clear he is not in his plans at all.If Mason was to put his foot down and refuse to budge,Smith probably threatened to send him to Newtown for the season making his potential worth and appeal to future clubs the following year almost worthless.The club granting him permission to look elsewhere overseas whilst the rest of the squad has commenced training spells this story rather clearly,and rather than being selfish and pigheaded and stay put where he is not wanted,Mason is genuinly looking elsewhere to grant our club their wish.

[Guest]

I just confirmation either way so this thread can be rested. Mind you, another will be started "Should we have let Willie go?" or "Should have done more to hold onto Willie?".

Either way, it reeks of a double entendre....

[novice chook]

You see this is why this whole debate is pointless, it just goes round and round in circles, with no one being right or wrong. This thread could go on for months and nothing concrete would come of it.

Everyone has their opinion, and they are entitled to it. Both the pro and anti Willie Wankas.

What I will say is that karma is a wonderful thing, and maybe it's finally come back to bite Willie Wanka on the butt. About bloody time too.


NC

[Guest]

I believe that was his intention when Smith was first signed,but Smith has made it clear he is not in his plans at all.If Mason was to put his foot down and refuse to budge,Smith probably threatened to send him to Newtown for the season making his potential worth and appeal to future clubs the following year almost worthless.The club granting him permission to look elsewhere overseas whilst the rest of the squad has commenced training spells this story rather clearly,and rather than being selfish and pigheaded and stay put where he is not wanted,Mason is genuinly looking elsewhere to grant our club their wish.

"The 29-year-old Mason, who is entering the final season of a three-year deal, has endured a difficult two seasons with the Roosters but incoming coach Brian Smith has offered him a fresh slate."

[Rooster_6]

I believed you....

Until you told me you read in the Telegraph.

[Guest]

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news...1106-i1qc.html

Smith not crowing for Mason to return
SAMANTHA BROUN
November 6, 2009 - 3:34PM

AAP

New Sydney Roosters coach Brian Smith said he doesn't care if Willie Mason turns his back on the NRL club to play rugby in Japan.

Mason, who has one year remaining on his lucrative contract with the Roosters, is currently exploring his playing options with various Japanese rugby clubs - with the full blessing of the Roosters.

Smith said on Friday he expected to know of Mason's decision in the next week or two and wasn't expecting him at pre-season training in the near future.

And Smith was ambivalent as to whether he would have the services of the former NSW and Australia second-rower in 2010 - where he hopes to turn last season's wooden-spooners around.

"I've got no control over it, so I'm not concerning myself with it," Smith said of Mason's trip to Japan.

"If it works out that Willie comes back and he's here and he wants to play well we'll deal with that then.

"But if he finds another business opportunity that he likes and the club are happy about that, well then I'm not going to knock myself out about that either.

"I think my position is pretty obvious, it's just that I'm a realist and I'm going to deal with anybody who's here and is ready to play football for the Roosters and if they're not well, I'm not concerned about it."

Asked whether he would like to see Mason see out the final year of his reported $450,000-a-year-deal, Smith said:

"I'd like him to make sure that he makes a good decision for himself that's all I'm concerned about at the moment.

"The Roosters club, we'll get on about our business whether Willie's here or he's not.

"No club's about one person on one thing so at this point in time we're doing our business and Willie's doing his."

The Roosters have adopted the slogan "New Attitude, New Beginning" ahead of the 2010 season.

They are desperate to rebound from a terrible 2009 which was plagued by embarrassing on-field performances that led to a last-place finish and a litany of alcohol-related off-field incidents.

Smith said he was not dwelling on the myriad of issues the club endured last season, and was looking forward to the season ahead.

"There are a lot of people everywhere within our club that are hurting pretty badly," Smith said.

"It's embarrassing and it's difficult to deal with when you have a tough season ... I think we probably tend to dwell on the negative stuff a bit too much.

"I'm trying to set the example here for everyone, there's not too much to be gained from looking back at last year.

"I think mostly we should be focused on what we're doing right now and what we want to achieve by the middle of March next year."

Smith said he was confident of securing the services of former representative prop Jason Ryles, who is keen to return to the NRL after a stint with French Super League club Catalans.

[Guest]

In regards to Willy not rocking up to the first week of training, instead opting to go to Japan - isn't that what he pays his manager for ? Surely he could've stayed in Sydney and spoke with potential interested parties over the phone or even video link ?

There's nothing worse than training your arse off while others are on a self promoting holiday.

[TheLoneRooster]

I like how Brian Smith used the words "we" and "our" A LOT in that article. As for Mason, I'm firmly in the "he can play rugby in Japan" camp though I loved what Nathan Grey had to say about it because Nathan didn't pull his punches.

[Cockadoodledoo]

I believe that was his intention when Smith was first signed,but Smith has made it clear he is not in his plans at all.

Can you actually prove this?

[Cockadoodledoo]

well thats certainly one possible side to the story. here's another. the club realised that things weren't looking too good. looking for the quick fix they sign up willie and mark omeley on huge contracts. both are getting past their best, and on the back of an extremely bad injury, willie never plays to his potential and all of a sudden is an extremely highly paid nothing. the club looking to offload him approach willie and offer him the opportunity to leave-a mutually positive event should willie be able to secure another deal especially in japanese rugby. willie, not wanting to be without an income and a career, takes the opportunity offered by the club and starts looking.

Please provide factual proof to support this...

[Guest]

I like how Brian Smith used the words "we" and "our" A LOT in that article. As for Mason, I'm firmly in the "he can play rugby in Japan" camp though I loved what Nathan Grey had to say about it because Nathan didn't pull his punches.

I know Nathan very well, i worked with his old man Max for 5 yrs as an area manager and he is never one to pull puches, in fact he thinks all league players are pussies, so really any bagging of any leaguey i take with a grain of salt.

Dont be surprised to see mason playing for his club

[Pass the Ball]

I like how Brian Smith used the words "we" and "our" A LOT in that article.

Me too. It appears he has taken ownership of our club and the problems that come with it.

I remember the absolute opposite when Opes was coaching. He used to refer to our club as them..

[Geohood]

OPES!!!

God don't bring us back to those dark ages.....

[novice chook]

And 2009 was a barrell of laughs was it Geo.

Opes signing was a Roosters Management stuff up from day 1. I blame them rather than Opes for what followed (and followed).


NC

[elo]

Willy Wanka really does get way too many articles written about him....another piece that offered nothing we didn't already know.