David Gallop: You just don't get it, Willie Mason
EXCLUSIVE by Andrew Webster From: The Daily Telegraph February 11, 2010 12:15AM
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FED-UP NRL chief executive David Gallop has put Willie Mason squarely back in his box over the controversial forward's bizarre tirade about "fat businessmen" costing him a contract - telling him yesterday: "You just don't get it."
Gallop said he was stunned by Mason's claims at his first press conference since joining the Cowboys that ill-informed directors at other NRL clubs had kyboshed his attempt to find somewhere else to play after the Roosters had decided to cut him adrift with one year remaining on his contract.
So bemused was Gallop, he phoned Cowboys chief executive Peter Parr to express his dissatisfaction. Parr told Gallop he was "appalled" - although Parr refused to confirm that last night.
"His [Mason's] comments demonstrate that he fundamentally doesn't get it - still," Gallop said.
"The fact is that people who sit on football club boards accept personal liability for the club's financial position and he needs to have a better appreciation of that," Gallop added. "The level of accountability that directors have is something he should wake up to."
Mason said on Tuesday: "When you look at it, you've got the coach, most senior players and CEOs coming out and saying, 'Yeah, we want him at our club', but it gets to a board meeting and you've got fat businessmen making decisions on your career.
"It wasn't taking a roll on my pride or anything, it made me angry a little bit."
Mason did not name the club directors he was referring to, but there is little doubt he was taking a swipe at the boards of Melbourne, Manly and the Sharks.
While coaches Craig Bellamy, Des Hasler and Ricky Stuart had all expressed a desire to sign the former international forward, their respective boards considered Mason too risky given his reputation.
Mason had been confident he was about to sign with the Storm, only for the deal to be quashed at the 11th hour.
The Roosters had allowed Mason to negotiate with other clubs because they considered him a poisonous influence on other players and a disruptive influence.
Prospective clubs also became jittery about giving him a lifeline because of a backlash from sponsors before the Cowboys signed him to a one-year deal.
Gallop called Parr as soon as he learnt of Mason's remarks on Tuesday and also said he would be concerned if others had advised Mason to lash out as he did.
"If he's been encouraged to have that view by people in football clubs who aren't on the board, then that is very alarming," Gallop said. "I've spoken to Peter Parr, who was equally appalled.
"He told me that he'd spoken to Willie about it. The Cowboys are a great example of a club that has directors who put their heart and soul into the joint."
Parr was tightlipped about the comments when contacted last night. "I've had a conversation with Willie about it," he said.
"What was said remains between him and me.
"But I conveyed to Willie what David had to say."
