IF you doubt Willie Mason's claims that he could play rep footy next season, you can't dispute his body of evidence.
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Mason might be 32 and he hasn't played for NSW or Australia since 2008, but sprint coach guru Roger Fabri says this is the fittest he has seen the giant prop heading into pre-season training.
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After watching Mason power through a gruelling one-hour session on a sweltering afternoon during the week at Centennial Park, it is impossible to argue with Fabri's assessment.
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"If he is not in the best nick I have had him in, he'd be very close to that,' Fabri said.
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"He has certainly presented himself the best he ever has on an off-season."
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And the man himself won't close the door on any possibility, even an Origin return.
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"Well, I'm not ruling it out," Mason said.
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"As I always said, if I play my best footy, all those rep jerseys come with my ability. I don't doubt myself at all. I am looking forward to the start of the year and the pre-season. I am really excited."
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Mason also said he owes a lot to the man who helped make his comeback possible - Wayne Bennett.
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Willie Mason
Willie Mason
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Willie Mason takes a breather while playing for the Knights last year. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: The Daily Telegraph
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This time last year Mason was on the scrapheap, desperate for another crack, but no club was prepared to take him on.
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Bennett gave Mason one last chance and he never looked back. His form was one of the positives to come out of an otherwise disappointing season for the Knights.
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Mason even won Bennett's coach's award.
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Those who witnessed him receiving the award from Bennett said it was the highlight of the evening, with Mason so overcome with emotion he could hardly speak.
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"It was (emotional)," Mason admitted. "Coming through a bit of adversity at the start of the year and coming out the other end felt good. And also the fact that it came from a coach as well respected as Wayne.
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"It is probably one of the highest accolades I have ever received, personally.
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"If I had got it from some previous coaches I wouldn't really care.
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"But it being from Wayne - and him being so respected - it was a different feeling.
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"It wasn't a big speech, but the emotion they saw in my speech was good enough for a million words."
I just cannot see this same thing being replicated if he was allowed to come here…..it wouldnt have happened.Best move Masons made.
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Mason might be 32 and he hasn't played for NSW or Australia since 2008, but sprint coach guru Roger Fabri says this is the fittest he has seen the giant prop heading into pre-season training.
>
After watching Mason power through a gruelling one-hour session on a sweltering afternoon during the week at Centennial Park, it is impossible to argue with Fabri's assessment.
>
"If he is not in the best nick I have had him in, he'd be very close to that,' Fabri said.
>
"He has certainly presented himself the best he ever has on an off-season."
>
And the man himself won't close the door on any possibility, even an Origin return.
>
"Well, I'm not ruling it out," Mason said.
>
"As I always said, if I play my best footy, all those rep jerseys come with my ability. I don't doubt myself at all. I am looking forward to the start of the year and the pre-season. I am really excited."
>
Mason also said he owes a lot to the man who helped make his comeback possible - Wayne Bennett.
>
Willie Mason
Willie Mason
>
Willie Mason takes a breather while playing for the Knights last year. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: The Daily Telegraph
>
This time last year Mason was on the scrapheap, desperate for another crack, but no club was prepared to take him on.
>
Bennett gave Mason one last chance and he never looked back. His form was one of the positives to come out of an otherwise disappointing season for the Knights.
>
Mason even won Bennett's coach's award.
>
Those who witnessed him receiving the award from Bennett said it was the highlight of the evening, with Mason so overcome with emotion he could hardly speak.
>
"It was (emotional)," Mason admitted. "Coming through a bit of adversity at the start of the year and coming out the other end felt good. And also the fact that it came from a coach as well respected as Wayne.
>
"It is probably one of the highest accolades I have ever received, personally.
>
"If I had got it from some previous coaches I wouldn't really care.
>
"But it being from Wayne - and him being so respected - it was a different feeling.
>
"It wasn't a big speech, but the emotion they saw in my speech was good enough for a million words."
I just cannot see this same thing being replicated if he was allowed to come here…..it wouldnt have happened.Best move Masons made.
