Willie's Leave Extended By Another 3 Weeks

[Guest]

Not being a legal type I could be talking out of my arse, but somehow I would think that this speculation may make the owners of the site slightly nervous.

Just a thought.

[Guest]

No idea what you guys are referring to specifically, but the guidelines for drug testing in the NRL are laughable.

A player can go interstate, or overseas, and not be able to be tested. To use an example, Todd Carney (theoretically) can go to Airlie Beach for 4 days, get on the rack on the first night, and come back and pass a test even if was tested immediately upon his return. A joke system that isn't really designed to catch players out. The only way to have a proper system would be if (again theoretically) Todd was called by the Roosters on the day he arrived at Airlie beach, or maybe 2 days into the trip,and required to report to a designated drug test venue in that area within a couple of hours, be tested, and then go back to the pub (or wherever).

The level of testing you are alluding to would be incredibly expensive and impractical. I agree with where you are coming from - but there needs to be a balance that is practical to implement.

There are two issues the NRL are concerned with wrt drugs (1) recreational drugs - which potentially bring the players, clubs and the game into disrepute and subsequently scare off sponsors and (2) performance enhancing drugs - which undermine the integrity of the sport itself.

At this stage, the NRL (rightly in my opinion) are focusing on the PEDs.

I think it is the more the clubs responsibility to address recreational drugs in the same way they are accountable for overall player behaviour. Given our track record and desire to change the culture and image of the club, the Roosters should be dedicating more resources to this area than most. Clubs that don't police this are running the risk of players running wild, be caught in the press, undermining the team culture and losing fans, sponsors and dollars (through fines from the NRL).

Given the practicalities and expense of such testing though, I think it would be sensible to enforce both random tests and scheduled tests - however the frequency of which should not be such that it is an unecessary invasion of a players privacy and prohibitive cost to implement. I wouldn't be wasting money on players whose social routines and lifestyles do not lend themselves to recreational drug taking, e.g, I wouldn't bother doing spot checks on Sam Perret on a weekly basis! Employ a team of 'Sam Perrets' and the cost to implement your drug policing policy (and lawyers, councillers, spin doctors, etc) is much cheaper.

Clubs can do 'spot checks' when they suspect a player is that way inclined. While it is possible to show no evidence of drug taking in daily life, there are usually some pretty clear signs to base this assessment on. Such signs are much easier for a club to pick up than the NRL.

[Cockadoodledoo]

I often wonder if you give any thought to what you post here...

That is the sort of regime sporting bodies like the IAAF employ.. You must advise in advance of your whereabouts on all occassions and be available for testing..

[Guest]

No idea what you guys are referring to specifically, but the guidelines for drug testing in the NRL are laughable.

A player can go interstate, or overseas, and not be able to be tested. To use an example, Todd Carney (theoretically) can go to Airlie Beach for 4 days, get on the rack on the first night, and come back and pass a test even if was tested immediately upon his return. A joke system that isn't really designed to catch players out. The only way to have a proper system would be if (again theoretically) Todd was called by the Roosters on the day he arrived at Airlie beach, or maybe 2 days into the trip,and required to report to a designated drug test venue in that area within a couple of hours, be tested, and then go back to the pub (or wherever).

So you want the NRL, or each club, to track their players holiday movements, and call them midweek, giving them an obligation to undertake a drug test?

That is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever read. Do you think before you write?

[Kingbilly]

Heres one for you,
what about responsibility in journalism ?

Ha thats a trick question, you can bleat all you want about drug tests and the fact they are still young but the biggest scum in the game is the journalists (well maybe except for player managers ). Why do they have to report on alot of this crap ?
There is not valid reason.

[Guest]

Craig Bellamy reveals he wanted Willie Mason at Melbourne Storm

By Phil Rothfield
January 13, 2010

Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has revealed he desperately tried to sign unwanted Sydney Roosters Willie Mason - but was overruled by the premiers' board.

As Mason's career remained in limbo on Tuesday night, Bellamy spoke for the first time about his phone calls and private talks with the most controversial figure in the game.

"I would love to have had him in our side," Bellamy said.

"Our leadership group wanted him.

"All the players wanted him.

"I spoke to Willie a number of times because I thought he had a lot to offer our place on and off the football field.

"At one stage I thought about ringing John Hartigan (News Limited chairman and chief executive) but the board made the decision and that was that."

Storm insiders suggest the board turned Mason away for two reasons - salary cap pressure and his troublemaker image.

But Bellamy believes it will be a tragedy if Mason is not playing in the NRL in 2010.

"I'd hate to see him lost to our game," he said.

"This bloke's been one of the best forwards in the NRL for a number of years.

"He's won a premiership, a Clive Churchill Medal and he's played Test match and State of Origin football. I still think he's got a lot to offer in the right environment. I really hope he finds the right club.

"It's a shame it won't be with us but I've accepted that now and we'll move on."

Mason was relucatant to discuss his situation on Tuesday night.

"I really appreciate the interest from 'Belly' - he's a good bloke and it would have been good for me to play under his coaching," Mason said.

"I'll just keep training and see if any other opportunities come up. That's really all I can say at the moment."

The Roosters returned to training under new coach Brian Smith this week but have extended Mason's leave of absence and clearly do not want the big forward at Bondi.

Mason's manager Greg Keenan is in England on business but remains hopeful of securing an NRL deal by the start of the season.

"A lot can happen between now and the start of the premiership with injuries in trials and things like that," Keenan said.

"We're hopeful there will be an opportunity at the right club."



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

[novice chook]

Kudos to the Melb Board for deciding on long term stability rather than possibly risk short term gain.

Their 'no dickheads' policy is obviously important to the Board, if not the coach.

I only wish the Roosters Board was as astute as the Melb one.

So the Wanka's camp is now relying on injuries in the trials to find him a new home - good luck with that. Injuries or no injuries, if a club has no money, it has no money. So get set for NSW or Bundy Rum Cup sunshine.


NC

[Guest]

i'm surprised newcastle hasn't made him an offer, they just had a bunch of cap space freed up with Wicks "quitting".

[Guest]

i'm surprised newcastle hasn't made him an offer, they just had a bunch of cap space freed up with Wicks "quitting".

Maybe they have,but the offer they want to pay towards his $400k+ deal was rejected by us...

[novice chook]

i'm surprised newcastle hasn't made him an offer, they just had a bunch of cap space freed up with Wicks "quitting".

I'm not surprised at all. The Knights reputation has already been damaged by the Wicks incident, so I doubt they'd be inclined to offer good salary cap dollars for a risky signing such as Mason.

They are currently attempting to find a private backer to pour some money into the Knights. Not sure that signing Mason would assist that process. When was the last time the bloke was in the news for the right reasons.


NC

[Cockadoodledoo]

Maybe they have,but the offer they want to pay towards his $400k+ deal was rejected by us...

We aren't in a position to be rejecting offers for Mason.. Hoping for injuries during trials shows that there is nothing left for Mason..

[Headless Chook]

Was interesting reading Phil Rothfield's blog regarding Willie. I found it amusing that his paper used to go out of the way to highlight any indiscretions of Wllie's but now he feels sorry for the guy!

[Guest]

Was interesting reading Phil Rothfield's blog regarding Willie. I found it amusing that his paper used to go out of the way to highlight any indiscretions of Wllie's but now he feels sorry for the guy!

It's quite simple. Reports of league player misbehaviour sells papers. It's usually nothing personal

[Vasco]

Was interesting reading Phil Rothfield's blog regarding Willie. I found it amusing that his paper used to go out of the way to highlight any indiscretions of Wllie's but now he feels sorry for the guy!

It's called Anti Roosters.

[supermario]

Was interesting reading Phil Rothfield's blog regarding Willie. I found it amusing that his paper used to go out of the way to highlight any indiscretions of Wllie's but now he feels sorry for the guy!

Of course they feel sorry for him.

First it was "Big bad ROOSTER Willie pees on a wall."

Now its "Big bad ROOSTERS pee on Willie"

Notice what is common there???