The bitterness over Willie Mason's split with the Bulldogs has spread to Cronulla, with Ben Ross, one of the pieces in the jigsaw puzzle the drama has become, yesterday calling his club's treatment of him "low".
The Sharks' hopes of snaring Mason, given permission to negotiate with other clubs on Wednesday, appear to hinge on whether Ross switches to English club Hull. The Sharks have made no secret of their desire to offload Ross in order to land Mason, which has attracted a fiery response from the former Penrith player.
"If Cronulla are trying to get rid of me for Willie Mason, that's pretty low that they haven't even told me," Ross, who was informed by coach Ricky Stuart last season that he could leave the club, told the Herald. "If they really want to get rid of me, they should let me know straight up."
Ross, a former Queensland State of Origin prop who was brought to Cronulla from Penrith in 2006 for about $400,000, admitted the speculation about his future had been "getting me down a bit".
Ross, centre Josh Hannay and halfback Brett Seymour were told in mid 2007 they could look elsewhere. So far, however, the 27-year-old Ross has stood firm - but he admits he could leave the club because of Stuart's attitude.
"It is getting me down a bit," he said. "It was hard enough last year with Ricky saying he didn't want me. Now it's all starting to happen again. It makes life hard. If you're playing under a coach that doesn't want you, how are you supposed to produce your best form? It does get to you.
"You try to respect them, but you don't know if that respect's coming back to you. If it stays around all of next year, it's going to be another sh*t year, isn't it?"
Ross said he was prepared to head overseas if necessary. The chances of that happening, however, are dimming. Hull have apparently gone a little cool on the idea of signing Ross, and are now focusing their attention on South Sydney co-captain Peter Cusack, adding another twist to the Mason tale.
Cusack met Hull coach Peter Sharp during his trip to Sydney this week and is understood to be seriously considering moving to the UK a year ahead of his Rabbitohs contract running out.
It is understood Souths are prepared to allow Cusack to break his contract because of the service he has given to the club.
Where that leaves Ross is unclear. But he has asked his manager, George Mimis, not to inform him about the behind-the-scenes machinations.
"I haven't really wanted to know about it because I don't want the sleepless nights," he said, describing his current mindset as "business as usual". "My life's here at Cronulla, but, like anyone I guess, if the price is right, I'll have to go."
David Shillington, another piece in the Mason jigsaw puzzle, feels the same. He, along with fellow forward Ashley Harrison, form the key to the Sydney Roosters' hopes of securing Mason's signature.
"The club hasn't said anything to me, but if that changes
you just have to go," said the 24-year-old, who has been touted as part of a straight swap with Mason, which is still the most likely scenario.
"You just have to take the option if it's out there. I've been at the Roosters for my whole career and I love the club.
"I was really looking forward to getting coached by Freddie [Fittler], but if you're not wanted by a club, you'd go.
"I spoke to Freddie a couple of days ago, just because I knew that if Willie comes, that means him and Mark O'Meley.
"I knew that's two Test front-rowers, and I wanted to know where I stood. But he said he sees Willie as a wide-running back-rower."
So where does that leave Harrison, another back-rower?
"I'm more than happy where I am, to be honest," Harrison said.
"I know it's a business, but I haven't heard anything. I know the Roosters are a solid join. If there's anything going on, they'll tell me."
