StephenP
ArnoldWillie Mason joins Sydney Roosters
November 15th 2007 07:00
League bad boy Willie Mason has ended weeks of speculation concerning his future by putting pen to paper on a lucrative three-year deal worth more than $1 million with the Sydney Roosters today.
The deal was made possible under the salary cap after the Roosters offloaded lock Ashley Harrison to Gold Coast to free up $220,000 last week.
After a three way battle with Manly and the Dragons including a last ditch offer from Cronulla, the Roosters have emerged victorious to sign the Australian forward after a falling out with the Bulldogs ended his tenure at the Belmore club.
A clearly relieved Mason said that a decision wasn't made until this morning because he had been waiting on Cronulla's offer, and that his close relationship with Ricky Stuart meant they had come close to snaring him.
In the end, the decision that prompted him to join the Roosters was the fact he and his partner both live in the eastern suburbs.
"I think I've made the right decision. Everything just seemed right." he said.
"The Roosters have a strong playing roster and a great coach in Freddy. I’m just looking forward to being a part of it and getting on with the job of winning football games."
As well as joining former team mates Mark O'Meley, Nate Myles and Braith Anasta in red, white and blue, Mason will combine with names like Fitzgibbon, Tupou, Paea, O’Meley, Nutley, Shillington and Myles to form one of the most formidable packs in the competition.
The big forward is a veteran of 23 tests and 10 origin games for NSW.
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