Queenslander
07-02-07, 10:21 AM
It's young Willie
By Dean Ritchie
February 07, 2007
WILLIE Mason arrived as a league star during the 2000 NRL season and became the most colourful character in the game. Then came brother, Les. Now there's one more.
Introducing Rodney Mason, the 15-year-old little brother who has signed a one-year deal with the Sydney Roosters.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/imagedata/0,5001,5381545,00.jpg http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/imagedata/0,5001,5381547,00.jpg
Looking like a young Willie with his wild and woolly hairdo, Rodney will play 2007 with the Roosters Harold Matthews side (under-16s).
A mobile back rower, Rodney signed with the Roosters despite being linked to Souths and Willie's club the Bulldogs.
"He has obviously got some good bloodlines," said Sydney Roosters coach Chris Anderson.
Rodney has moved from the family home in Newcastle and will live in Hillsdale, in Sydney's east, with older brother Les. Living in the east pushed Rodney - who will attend Matraville Sports High School - to sign with the Roosters.
The Masons are a family of human mountains. Rodney is already nearly six foot (180cm) and weighs about 85kg - not forgetting he is only 15 years old.
Les weighs 126kg, 10kg more than Willie, and is taller than the Bulldogs forward, who stands 195cm.
"We're keen to see how Rodney handles it," Anderson said.
"We'll give him plenty of time to find his feet."
Club chief executive Brian Canavan gave an insight into what fans can expect from young Mason in coming years.
"Rodney's very athletic, very quick and very agile," Canavan said. "He will be a running back rower but he can also play centre."
Talking about Rodney's move to Sydney, Canavan said: "He will have to integrate into the Sydney way of life. Rodney has a new club and a new school.
"We will ease him into the club. Willie and Les have and will be good mentors for him. Those two will continue to liaise with the club about Rodney.
"The pedigree is certainly there. We are keen to get him to our club and help his career."
Roosters coaching and development manager Brian Gray said the youngest Mason was still "pretty raw".
"He's is an emerging talent," Gray said last night. "He has the physical attributes to develop into an elite junior player.
"Rodney's still pretty raw but is already six foot tall and has an athletic build. We are always looking for young, talented players and Rodney just turned up on our doorstep.
"He came to Sydney under his own steam and came to us because he is living in Hillsdale.
"We basically have nothing to lose. He wanted a chance and we have given him that.
"We'll see how it pans out."
Willie and Rodney's manager Greg Keenan did not want The Daily Telegraph to interview or photograph young Mason yesterday.
"He's only 15 years old," Keenan said. "Willie doesn't want a picture to be taken."
On March 7, Les will make his professional debut on the undercard of the Anthony Mundine v Sam Soliman fight. He has been sparring with former NRL players Solomon Haumono and John Hopoate.
Willie has now returned to Bulldogs training after a lengthy lay-off following last year's Tri-Nations.
Daily Telegraph
By Dean Ritchie
February 07, 2007
WILLIE Mason arrived as a league star during the 2000 NRL season and became the most colourful character in the game. Then came brother, Les. Now there's one more.
Introducing Rodney Mason, the 15-year-old little brother who has signed a one-year deal with the Sydney Roosters.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/imagedata/0,5001,5381545,00.jpg http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/imagedata/0,5001,5381547,00.jpg
Looking like a young Willie with his wild and woolly hairdo, Rodney will play 2007 with the Roosters Harold Matthews side (under-16s).
A mobile back rower, Rodney signed with the Roosters despite being linked to Souths and Willie's club the Bulldogs.
"He has obviously got some good bloodlines," said Sydney Roosters coach Chris Anderson.
Rodney has moved from the family home in Newcastle and will live in Hillsdale, in Sydney's east, with older brother Les. Living in the east pushed Rodney - who will attend Matraville Sports High School - to sign with the Roosters.
The Masons are a family of human mountains. Rodney is already nearly six foot (180cm) and weighs about 85kg - not forgetting he is only 15 years old.
Les weighs 126kg, 10kg more than Willie, and is taller than the Bulldogs forward, who stands 195cm.
"We're keen to see how Rodney handles it," Anderson said.
"We'll give him plenty of time to find his feet."
Club chief executive Brian Canavan gave an insight into what fans can expect from young Mason in coming years.
"Rodney's very athletic, very quick and very agile," Canavan said. "He will be a running back rower but he can also play centre."
Talking about Rodney's move to Sydney, Canavan said: "He will have to integrate into the Sydney way of life. Rodney has a new club and a new school.
"We will ease him into the club. Willie and Les have and will be good mentors for him. Those two will continue to liaise with the club about Rodney.
"The pedigree is certainly there. We are keen to get him to our club and help his career."
Roosters coaching and development manager Brian Gray said the youngest Mason was still "pretty raw".
"He's is an emerging talent," Gray said last night. "He has the physical attributes to develop into an elite junior player.
"Rodney's still pretty raw but is already six foot tall and has an athletic build. We are always looking for young, talented players and Rodney just turned up on our doorstep.
"He came to Sydney under his own steam and came to us because he is living in Hillsdale.
"We basically have nothing to lose. He wanted a chance and we have given him that.
"We'll see how it pans out."
Willie and Rodney's manager Greg Keenan did not want The Daily Telegraph to interview or photograph young Mason yesterday.
"He's only 15 years old," Keenan said. "Willie doesn't want a picture to be taken."
On March 7, Les will make his professional debut on the undercard of the Anthony Mundine v Sam Soliman fight. He has been sparring with former NRL players Solomon Haumono and John Hopoate.
Willie has now returned to Bulldogs training after a lengthy lay-off following last year's Tri-Nations.
Daily Telegraph