I've been a long term purveyor of the forum, however in this instance feel almost obliged to add a little bit of something. Some time ago my wife and I attended a Wests Tigers night hosted at Curzon Hall. In attendance that night were many WT luminaries including then coach Tim Sheens, MC Beau Ryan and players Benji Marshall, Aaron Woods, Keith Galloway, Chris Lawrence and Lote Tuiquiri. I should explain that my wife planned this as a surprise, and a total surprise it was indeed. Upon entering the lavish and spacious premises I felt like a kid in a lolli shop. Who could I sidle up to? What famous star would I connect with? Oh the stories I could embellish at work next week.
Well almost upon our entrance into the sumptuous main hall we were met by a spritely young buck wearing a grin from ear to ear. He said all the right things, 'Hi, my name is Masada. I've just changed cats from a panther to a tiger, and if you don't mind me saying mate, you are batting well above your average.' I still vividly recall that opening exchange. He instantly engaged me, not to mention the positive effect he was having on my wife! We chatted for some time before we started discussing football.
My eyes were roving the room and eventually settled on a man mountain enjoying a beer with a fellow front row partner in Keith Galloway. I pulled in closer to Masada and whispered that I'd heard that we had agreed to sign Ray Cashmere to a contract in favour of Big Willie Mason who was available. Admittedly I had consumed a few sherbets by this time and decided to confide in Masada that I regarded this as an altogether wrong decision. Masada was, understandably non committal. We parted ways and I was thinking to myself what an absolute livewire this young Masada Iosefa indeed was.
About 15 minutes later my wife elbowed me in the ribs and said, 'isn't that the young man you were just talking to over there'? Masada was now standing with Ray Cashmere and pointing at me. Ray at the time seemed to have a very dark look upon his brow. I couldn't believe that Masada would just give me up like that, although admittedly Ray was a teammate of his. At 72 kgs wringing wet, and looking up into Ray Cashmere's countenance I was feeling a tad exposed.
It wasn't until about another uncomfortable 15 minutes had passed that Masada bounced up and said, 'hey, I got you didn't I bro.' I replied 'what do you mean, Cashmere's going to kill me'. Masada then said, 'naah, I just told him you didn't like the colour of the tie he was wearing'!
Masada was just so sharp. Nothing like the A-typical NRL footballer. He was so quick witted and one of those guys that you meet and immediately enjoy their company. Gone too soon.
