Willie Mason is a magnetic character. People are drawn to him and you can’t help but listen to the forward speak because you never know what he’s going to say next.
Mason is back in the frame for State of Origin selection for the first time since 2008 and even fair judges like Newcastle coach Wayne Bennett think the 32-year-old is up to it.
The problem for Mason is that New South Wales coach Laurie Daley has a wealth of second-rowers to choose from and most of those have a higher work-rate than the Knights forward.
Mason started the year with a huge game against the Wests Tigers busting out 14 runs for 119 metres at Hunter Stadium.
The performance grabbed the eye of Daley, but after four rounds his statistics don’t match-up to his competitors.
Melbourne’s Ryan Hoffman is averaging 74.75 minutes, 14.75 runs, 119.75 metres and 24 tackles a game.
Greg Bird has averaged 79 minutes, 14.75 runs, 136 metres and 22.5 tackles per game for the Gold Coast Titans.
Anthony Watmough has played slightly less minutes for Manly at 67.25 and has had 12.5 runs per game after the opening month, but has still chalked up 122.5 metres and 35.25 tackles a game for the Sea Eagles.
Mason, who has played three of the opening four games of the season, has managed just 31.3 minutes a game, 10.3 runs, 83.33 metres and 12.6 tackles on average.
That’s before you even throw in Cronulla’s Luke Lewis and the possibility of Glenn Stewart returning from injury prior to game one.
I’d have Bird and Luke Lewis as my starting second rowers with Watmough coming off the bench.
If Stewart is fit and ready then that complicates the picture even further.
Daley will have to decide whether he carries two or three props on the bench.
Aaron Woods, James Tamou, Trent Merrin, Tim Grant and Tim Mannah are all in line for selection.
He may decide not to cut any of them and play with five, but that leaves one less spot for a back rower.
So does that mean Luke Lewis or Anthony Watmough miss out with Glenn Stewart included in the starting side?
Or perhaps Watmough and Lewis will be on the bench with one of the props as 18th man.
All of that has to be solved before Mason even gets a look in.
He is all about impact and undoubtably makes a mark when he comes on.
The former international has made 31 runs in three games and gained 250 metres.
When you throw that up against Ryan Hoffman (59 runs, 479 metres), Greg Bird (59 runs, 544 metres) and Anthony Watmough (50 runs, 489 metres) his stats aren’t that bad considering he has played one less game.
Still, it’s hard to see Mason forcing his way into the frame unless he increases his minutes.
His inclusion would be intriguing, but if I was a selector I couldn’t have the big fella in my team.
Jake
Guest
Why don't you compare Masons stats with fellow props?? Apples V oranges. It's like saying Hannant is a better player than Thurston because be makes more hit ups and makes more metres.
Carlos
Guest
I think they should show some loyalty to the squad particularly the forwards from last year. In my view Glen Stewart has to be a certain starter too, Watmough should be in the squad these guys along with Gallen and Bird make for an exceptionally skilled and tough back row. I cant really see a need for Mason Id rather see two specialist Props on the bench along with a skilled aggressive utility type player like Lewis or maybe even Josh Reynolds. Now we just need Daley Cherry Evans to realise he's actually from NSW...
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
There are no NRL players who are still eligible for NSW who have a win/loss record over 50% (at least none who have played a significant amount of games).
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
How do you expect Merrin to do anything? He's been a Blue on 4 separate occasions, and he hasn't even played 80 minutes of Origin footy from all those games combined. He can't do much when he's not on the field. There's no point picking Merrin if you don't give him big minutes. At the moment he plays around 65 minutes per game for the Dragons. Obviously he won't do that for the Blues, but I would think Loz would give him at least 35-40. Imagine how good he'd be in a team where he doesn't have to do everything
PuntPal
Roar Pro
Me too - McKendry has actually outplayed him this year so far. I dont have Grant in my pack at the moment, but he could peak closer to the series
PuntPal
Roar Pro
Imagine some of the overseas players that would play ORigin if allowed (Burgess, Benji, Graham, SBW...). Would be awesome to see!
PuntPal
Roar Pro
Have to agree with eagleJack on Merrin...he has been one of the best forwards of the year...and I am not one to pick Origin teams only on their past Origin form. Carney had a shocker in Origin, but barring injury I would have been selecting him based on his Round 1-3 form this year. Players mature and develop...e.g. Jarrod Mullen now versus when he debuted...totally different players. Good point Planko, Watmough does have that rib injury that could really be tested by a Nate Myles shoulder! PLenty to choose from in my opinion. I am a QLD fan, but with two Sydney games and the right team selection, NSW should win this series
Bearfax
Guest
In recent years those stats would apply to almost every NSW player playing SOO
Big Time
Guest
Agree on Grant. I think he looks slow. He will get in though on the back of last years performance. Tamou and Woods and will be there. Bird and Gallen are certainties. Merrin will be there especially given that he is playing lock and more minutes these days. He gives them a few more options. Leaves probably two spots. I don't think Lewis has really looked that good this year either, he did not play well against the Dragons. In saying that he will probably be in there as he covers so many positions. I reckon they will go for another big man and I think that will be Mason.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Mason may sneak onto the bench. I haven't been impressed by Tim Grant this year - a lot of the time you see young blokes take their game to 'the next level' after getting a start at Origin. He doesn't look like he has. Tamou has been ok - but nothing like he was last year - hopefully he builds up to Origin. He's still first prop picked. Merrin has been awesome and can come on as either a front or back rower. I don't think Woods can possibly be left out. Big question marks over Fifita.
anopinion
Guest
To those who think Mason is a good choice because he can "intimidate", I ask, who in the QLD side do you think gets intimidated? I think most stats are best looked at in context. When a player runs with the ball where did they start from, what was the game situation, who were the first up tacklers, what defense was being applied by the opposing side? These and other questions need to be asked before a rep team can be selected.
Carlos
Guest
I think your half right Luke Mason would give it all but too many ahead in my view should be 8.Woods 9.Farah 10.Tamou 11.Stewart 12.Bird 13.Gallen Bench - Grant, Tolman, Watmough, Lewis GStewart was one of the main reasons we won game 2 last year, his in QLD faces defence completely shut down thurston and Inglis on the left flank. I also believe his absence in game three was seriously exploited by QLD, Sticky seriously stuffed up leaving BScott on the field for as long as he did with Lewis sitting on the bench.
Gareth
Roar Pro
Here are some stats: Ryan Hoffman has a 20% record at Origin level Greg Bird has a 30% win rate (36% if you want to count dead rubbers) Anthony Watmough has a 25% win rate (33% if you want to count dead rubbers) But then, maybe it's better to keep these guys around until we can assemble a half decent spine. Otherwise you run the risk of blooding your youngsters into a losing culture with very little prospect of winning any time soon.
planko
Roar Guru
Watmough is clearly playing injured and I don't him making the NSW by then he may need a few weeks off.
planko
Roar Guru
I wish they could pick James Graham jesus that would spice things up a little
eagleJack
Guest
Have you watched Merrin this year? He is the only player doing anything for the Dragons. And doing it very,very well. The other Dragons players should donate 50% of their salaries to him.
Pete
Guest
well that too!
Pete
Guest
I like your pack but Merrin has done NOTHING at origin level and IMO doesnt deserve another chance
eagleJack
Guest
That is my pack too PuntPal. Although maybe Woods on the bench replacing Fifita with Grant in the starting line-up.
peeeko
Roar Guru
Mason could do a decent job as a 30-40 min impact prop but I would have Tamou, Merrin and grant ahead of him and Woods