News recently of Willie Mason considering an offer from Super League club Hull KR in England got me on edge that the North Queensland Cowboys will let him and go and regret it for years to come.
Back in 2007 when Willie Mason declared that he wanted to leave the Bulldogs, I thought straight away that this was a player the Cowboys desperately needed.
Since the loss of inspirational forward Paul Rauhihi in 2005, there had been no go-forward, nor as many offloads as our little men would have liked.
Before the start of the 2008 NRL season I was texting into the local newspaper to put my opinion across that the North Queensland Cowboys would regret not signing ‘Big Willie’. The replies I received were negative with many people believing he would be a waste of a buy as his off-field antics would bring a bad image to the club.
Indeed when news came of Willie Mason signing a three year deal with the Sydney Roosters I was very disappointed, and ‘surprise surprise’, the Cowboys did not make the finals for the 08 and 09 seasons.
So when the opportunity arose that Mason wanted to leave the Sydney Roosters, this was a second chance for the Cowboys that they could not let slip through their fingers once again.
It made my day when the news I had been wanting to hear for years of Willie Mason signing for the North Queensland Cowboys finally happened.
Now this season for the Cowboys has been anything but good. However, a shining light has been the form of Mason. He has been a standout in a lacklustre Cowboys side this year, and always one of the top performers each game. Throughout this season he has averaged over 13 runs and 116 metres per game.
Furthermore, there’s stuff many fans do not see during the game, like always being the first person to congratulate a team member for pulling off a good play, or also encouraging a fellow teammate to keep his head up after making a mistake.
You can see in his eyes that he wants to win every game, week in week out, and these are the type of players you want in your team.
So with a full pre-season under his belt imagine how impressive Willie Mason could be for the Cowboys next year?
Therefore I am hoping just like many other fans that the Cowboys are able to agree to a deal with “Big Willie” to sign him for future seasons.
As for our chances of getting back into finals football, it depends on having players with attitudes similar to him.
Mr Cool
Guest
Maybe, just maybe Jonathon Thurston's outbursts at his team isn't exactly building a good feeling within the ranks???.
Mick
Guest
This is true, but look at how he's performing at the Cowboys right now. Sometimes a change is as good as a holiday . He's fit, he's focused and he's made some good runs on the field. While I don't see Mason as the future of the Cowboys, he's certainly been one of their best players all season. Good luck to him if does jump ship to Hull KR, but I'd like to see him hang around the NRL a little bit longer. Super League is for players who are past it, Mason is not one of those.
rj
Guest
Mason didn't want to leave the Roosters, they showed him the door and it was the best thing the club has done in a very long time.
Fra-Dog
Roar Rookie
Cheers Mick, Im sure to check this article out.
Mick
Guest
Yeah, Fra-Dog re: on local talent slipping through. An article in the Townsville Bully today said after News Ltd took over the Cowboys in 2002/03, no local talent could be signed for 12 months due to financial constraints or something. Basically, the Cowboys had to use the players they already had. You should read up on that. It's Josh Alston's 'League Extra' on pg. 45. Now if that's true, it could explain why the likes of Thaiday, Johnson and Slater slipped through to other teams down south. I am skeptical though, seeing as the Bulletin is a MAJOR sponsor of the Cowboys and it might just be spin to cover up past screw ups. Worth a look anyway.
Fra-Dog
Roar Rookie
Haha, Creepy i write this article and now the news of this comes about. Looks like he is England bound which I am very dissapointed to see indeed.
Peter
Guest
Isn't this coincedental - An email sent to every NRL CEO and recruitment manager from the Rugby League Accredited Player Agent Scheme (RLAPAS) has warned clubs that Willie Mason's manager Greg Keenan is banned from negotiating his next NRL deal. The email has left Mason's career in the NRL hanging by a thread. Should Keenan be found to have any contact with Australian clubs, the NRL will refuse to register Mason's 2011 playing contract. With Keenan based in Europe and currently in talks with Super League clubs, Mason's future increasingly appears to be in England. Mason said he had laughed when he had heard about the RLAPAS edict, and if he could not strike a deal with North Queensland Cowboys, would almost certainly head overseas.
macavity
Guest
I see the future of the Cowboys to be more underachievement. Something is on the nose up there, don't know enough about the joint to put my finger on what, but with their squad they should be battling it out for silverware, not wooden spoons.
Fra-Dog
Roar Rookie
Yeh Wat a missed oppourtunity. Hopefully we don't let it happen again with most of our under 20s.
Peter
Guest
Agreed, especially those people with the surnames Lancini and Parr ......
oikee
Guest
I must have known something, i just got back from shopping and read the rugby league week. A article about Sam Faiday being overlooked by Cowboy scouts while he was up north. Hopefully the scouts do their job with the under 20 talents.
Fra-Dog
Roar Rookie
Cheers M1tch, Yeh not good news indeed. Has been very impressive, gonna miss him big time.
M1tch
Roar Guru
Good article Fra-Dog, he has been pretty good for the cowboys and shame to lose him over to KR.
Fra-Dog
Roar Rookie
Sounds good to me Yeh fingers cross for that, people just need to have faith in Neil Henry thats all
Peter
Guest
Awesome news mate, and a stats man - your a natural for Dream Team!!! We all love our footy and the League is positioned just outside the top 100, so its pretty competitive. Really hope you sign up for next season looking for people just like you to take the NEX to the top of the ladder, like the Cowboys next season, hopefully.
Fra-Dog
Roar Rookie
haha cheers man Yeh good to speak to other passionate cowboys supporters like yourself. I work as a part time League statisician for sports data and call the stats for the under 20 games up here in Townsville. So thats how i know a lot about the under 20s and they sure can play, real promise for the future. Yeh been good to have a NQ side playing on grand final. Im sure to join up was planning on doing it just been busy and had no time to do it.
Peter
Guest
Now your talkin Fra-Dog, the Under 20s are champs - something to look forward to on Grand Final day hopefully! You sound like you know your stuff mate, if your not already in a Dream Team comp we are looking for passionate couch coaches to join our little league over at the NRL. If your interested check our league out at our companion website www.nrldreamteam.wordpress.com, be nice to have another Cowboys supporter on the books.
Fra-Dog
Roar Rookie
Yeh especially with O'Donnell leaving to have Dallas Johnson come in would be absolute fantastic. Next years backline could be the best ever since 04/05 seasons. Bowen, Winterstein, Tate, Tonga, Tupou, Taumata and JT of course. Watts will be a massive loss he brings so much off the bench. I think its time we start blooding in some youngsters and making sure we keep most of them signed as this years under 20 side has been very competitive. Players like Segeyero, faust and McLean have been outstanding in the forward pack. Furthermore, lets not forget about Taumalolo this kid is only 17 and is outstanding in under 20s level. We have to keep this guy on our books as he is something special and could be as good as anyone in the nrl in the future.
Peter
Guest
Agreed with both the above comments, alot of our problems clearly sit on the shoulders of our recruitment. I am starting to lose count at the amount of home grown talent appearing in other sides and succeeding. With regards to oikee's comment, if reports are true and two Super League clubs are chasing his signature, then I am afraid I would have to let him go as we all know the money these guys have to splash around and let's also not forget we got Willie for a bargain due to circumstances. Like I said I do not disagree Willie is in great form and brings a great attitude but I sincerely think the decision will be in his hands, as we shouldn't try and compete with UK dollars, especially when we are in a rebuilding process. I'd love for him to stay but am trying to stay realistic. I also think there is a huge hole in the hooker position with Watts leaving and Payne in career ending form, our only hope is the securing of our Under 20s star. On a brighter note the rumour of Dallas Johnson signing is gaining momentum with talk of a swap for Carl Webb - thats like Xmas, Easter and your birthday all in one!
Fra-Dog
Roar Rookie
To Peter yeh I clearly see your point of Matt Scott and Dane Hogan being the future for the cowboys. If Matt Scott doesn't get picked for the test side later this year then ill be very surprised, and with Hogan since his first game he has been improving each week. This kid is not scared to do the hard yards and is a very physcial bloke. I just recon if we have mason to show the ropes to our many young forwards next year and beyond it will enhnace our finals chances. As right now the Cowboys are a disgrace right now and something has to change