JayBee
Kennel Legend
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By Christian Nicolussi
August 25, 2009
In a post-match scene not imaginable just 18 months ago, Bulldogs fans gave Willie Mason a standing ovation on Monday night.
The giant forward, who famously walked out on the Bulldogs for the Roosters at the end of 2007, had become public enemy No.1 around Belmore and was jeered every time he got his hands on the ball.
But the Bulldog army applauded Mason as he marched from ANZ Stadium after the Roosters were beaten 28-4. Stunned, Mason smiled and reciprocated.
The NRL's ugliest and most bitter split finally seems over.
And to prove there are no hard feelings, Mason declared he would cheer for the Bulldogs during the finals series.
"Of course I'll be cheering for them, I'll always have a soft spot for the Dogs," Mason said, as he emerged from the Bulldogs dressingrooms and posed for photos with fans of both clubs.
"They know I'm not a bad person. They respect my mum and family so they won't give me much grief. I suppose time heals all wounds. I don't think they would have cheered me off had we won.
"I've never come out and disrespected the Bulldogs fans. I didn't leave on the proper terms, but look at them now.
"They're second, we're not going so good, and I suppose if there weren't a few moves by some of the players (a couple of years ago), they may not be in the position they are now."
Mason has been linked with a move to Japanese rugby next season, but was quick to play down suggestions the warm reception after the game had anything to do with fans seeing the last of him.
He started on the bench but made an instant impact, racking up more than 90 metres off five runs. He drew the loudest noise when he turned fullback Luke Patten inside out, only to throw a wayward pass over his head into no-man's land.
Nate Myles, another former Bulldogs player who was wooed to Bondi Junction, was returning from a six-week stint on the sidelines after a drunken night out at a Terrigal hotel.
Myles seemed the logical target of Bulldogs fans' jokes, but it was Mason who stirred the most emotion.
Myles was much quieter on the field and is sure to strip fitter this week against the Storm, as the Roosters are desperate to dodge the wooden spoon.
Mason won't be desperate to dodge the Dogs fans anymore.
August 25, 2009
In a post-match scene not imaginable just 18 months ago, Bulldogs fans gave Willie Mason a standing ovation on Monday night.
The giant forward, who famously walked out on the Bulldogs for the Roosters at the end of 2007, had become public enemy No.1 around Belmore and was jeered every time he got his hands on the ball.
But the Bulldog army applauded Mason as he marched from ANZ Stadium after the Roosters were beaten 28-4. Stunned, Mason smiled and reciprocated.
The NRL's ugliest and most bitter split finally seems over.
And to prove there are no hard feelings, Mason declared he would cheer for the Bulldogs during the finals series.
"Of course I'll be cheering for them, I'll always have a soft spot for the Dogs," Mason said, as he emerged from the Bulldogs dressingrooms and posed for photos with fans of both clubs.
"They know I'm not a bad person. They respect my mum and family so they won't give me much grief. I suppose time heals all wounds. I don't think they would have cheered me off had we won.
"I've never come out and disrespected the Bulldogs fans. I didn't leave on the proper terms, but look at them now.
"They're second, we're not going so good, and I suppose if there weren't a few moves by some of the players (a couple of years ago), they may not be in the position they are now."
Mason has been linked with a move to Japanese rugby next season, but was quick to play down suggestions the warm reception after the game had anything to do with fans seeing the last of him.
He started on the bench but made an instant impact, racking up more than 90 metres off five runs. He drew the loudest noise when he turned fullback Luke Patten inside out, only to throw a wayward pass over his head into no-man's land.
Nate Myles, another former Bulldogs player who was wooed to Bondi Junction, was returning from a six-week stint on the sidelines after a drunken night out at a Terrigal hotel.
Myles seemed the logical target of Bulldogs fans' jokes, but it was Mason who stirred the most emotion.
Myles was much quieter on the field and is sure to strip fitter this week against the Storm, as the Roosters are desperate to dodge the wooden spoon.
Mason won't be desperate to dodge the Dogs fans anymore.
