Willie Mason

NZ-born, but a Newcastle junior (Toronto, Lakes United), Willie Mason represented the Hunter Mariners’ junior rep team in the club’s sole season in the Super League competition in 1997. Signing with the Bulldogs, he was largely used from the interchange bench during his debut season. Mason represented Tonga (his mother’s nationality) in the 2000 World Cup but secured a regular first grade position with the Bulldogs the following year. He became something of a cult figure in 2002 with his afro hairstyle, but there was no denying his value as an impact player; his galloping runs, and his ability to off-load the ball by using his huge frame to hit the advantage line, marked him as a representative player of the future. Mason didn’t have long to wait - making his Test debut against Great Britain in July 2002 despite the fact that he played no part in the State of Origin series that year. Although the Bulldogs were stripped of their competition points and did not compete in the play-offs Mason represented Australia again in the Test win against NZ in October. 2003 brought an ANZac Test, a State of Origin debut and a Kangaroo Tour, but not the premiership title the Bulldogs thought was owed to them. That came, belatedly, at the end of the controversial 2004 season. Mason produced a masterly display of controlled aggression in the 16-13 win over the Roosters. The towering forward, an automatic selection for the Australian Test team after NSW’s dominance of the State of Origin series, then played in 5 Tests in the Tri Nations competition. His season had a jarring end, however, when he injured his ankle on the artificial playing surface in the international match against the USA in Philadelphia in December. In the ensuing seasons Mason stamped his reputation as a world class forward leader for the Bulldogs, NSW and Australia. In the opening match of the 2006 Tri-Nations series Mason took it upon himself to taunt the ‘Kiwi’ players (especially Australian born Brent Webb) during their haka and although he suffered an eye socket injury for his troubles (courtesy of David Kidwell). He missed a match through injury and was suspended for another match for striking a Great Britain opponent but had the final say when he played a major role in Australia’s 16-12 extra-time victory over NZ in the final.