Willie Mason could be the key man for the Sydney Roosters in 2009 as he now nears the end of an eight month layoff due to a knee reconstruction.
Mason’s 2008 season was destroyed one game shy of the finals, after he injured his knee against the Dragons in the last round of the year.
Although the injury cost Mason a place in the Roosters finals campaign, the 28 year old forward credits the time out from the game as the necessary spark that will see the big forward return to his best form in 2009.
A player of Mason’s talent and toughness often comes hand-in-hand with a tight schedule which consists of regular first grade matches, not to mention Origin and Test appearances.
Mason has consistently been a key figure for NSW and Australia, and one would have thought he would have been in the green and gold again if it were not for his injury.
But after a year in which he played 20 games for the Roosters in his debut season with the club, Mason thought he needed a break from rugby league.
He has certainly received that, with Mason on the verge of returning to the game after nearly eight months off with injury.
Now, the 114 kilogram second rower is re-energised and is keen to build his form in a Roosters side that has high hopes of a premiership.
Indeed, one of Mason’s main goals this season will be to attract off field attention for all the right reasons.
He has become a public face in the NRL, with many of his off field misdemeanours tarnishing his reputation.
In 2007, he was voted the most hated player in the NRL by his peers due to the media attention he receives on a regular basis.
2008 in comparison was a solid year out of the limelight for Mason, and it showed in his football with some blockbusting performances up front for the Roosters.
One feels that if he would have played in the finals, the Roosters could have performed better in the critical moments of their finals matches against both the Broncos and the Warriors.
Although injury cut short his 2008 campaign, one feels that if Mason can play out the 2009 season, he will no doubt be the driving force of a Roosters team that can go all the way this year.
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