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First Grade
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By James Phelps
July 27, 2007 12:00am
IT comes as no surprise that Willie Mason has been voted the player fans love to hate for the third year in a row.
The 115kg giant is the NRL's chief trash talker and a man with a child-like nature who is capable of destroying teams - and crushing their fans' hearts.
Mason's afro might be long gone but fans yesterday confirmed he is still a target, with 26 per cent of respondents voting the former Clive Churchill Medal winner as the player they love to hate.
In an exclusive Daily Telegraph fan survey, Mason was voted at the top of the love-to-hate category ahead of Roosters forward Braith Anasta and Brisbane pair Toni Carroll and Justin Hodges.
But fans also confirmed Mason's standing as one of the most respected players, voting him the second-toughest player behind Eels back-rower Nathan Hindmarsh.
One of the most controversial players in the NRL, Mason yesterday welcomed being voted as the most "hated" player in the game.
"I am in good company on that list," he said. "I don't take any of it personally. As long as the fans respect the way I play, it's OK."
Mason joked that the fans who voted in the survey "must be Queenslanders", and said his favourite sledge was being called "Willie the w . . . . .".
"Willie the w . . . . . seems to go pretty good, especially when there are 50,000 Queenslanders singing it," Mason said.
"North of the border it gets a bit harsher but fans love to hate me. You can't really ignore it. Hopefully they see me as the one who can be the danger to their team.
"When I am on the field it gets pretty harsh but off the field most people are pretty good."
Mason agreed his talent, profile and outspoken views contributed to his standing as the player fans love to hate - but he wouldn't have it any other way. "I don't mind it, they have the chance to give it to me so they might as well."
Mason said it was a privilege to be voted as one of the toughest players in the game and singled out teammate Mark O'Meley and Brisbane pair Petero Civoniceva and Darren Lockyer for special mention.
"Those guys are tough," Mason said. "I think Petero is the toughest. He does it week in, week out."
Mason's team, the Bulldogs, were voted the team fans loved to hate (27 per cent) but also the most supported (12 per cent).
SOURCE: http://www.news.com.au/sundaytelegraph/story/0,,22140592-5001023,00.html
July 27, 2007 12:00am
IT comes as no surprise that Willie Mason has been voted the player fans love to hate for the third year in a row.
The 115kg giant is the NRL's chief trash talker and a man with a child-like nature who is capable of destroying teams - and crushing their fans' hearts.
Mason's afro might be long gone but fans yesterday confirmed he is still a target, with 26 per cent of respondents voting the former Clive Churchill Medal winner as the player they love to hate.
In an exclusive Daily Telegraph fan survey, Mason was voted at the top of the love-to-hate category ahead of Roosters forward Braith Anasta and Brisbane pair Toni Carroll and Justin Hodges.
But fans also confirmed Mason's standing as one of the most respected players, voting him the second-toughest player behind Eels back-rower Nathan Hindmarsh.
One of the most controversial players in the NRL, Mason yesterday welcomed being voted as the most "hated" player in the game.
"I am in good company on that list," he said. "I don't take any of it personally. As long as the fans respect the way I play, it's OK."
Mason joked that the fans who voted in the survey "must be Queenslanders", and said his favourite sledge was being called "Willie the w . . . . .".
"Willie the w . . . . . seems to go pretty good, especially when there are 50,000 Queenslanders singing it," Mason said.
"North of the border it gets a bit harsher but fans love to hate me. You can't really ignore it. Hopefully they see me as the one who can be the danger to their team.
"When I am on the field it gets pretty harsh but off the field most people are pretty good."
Mason agreed his talent, profile and outspoken views contributed to his standing as the player fans love to hate - but he wouldn't have it any other way. "I don't mind it, they have the chance to give it to me so they might as well."
Mason said it was a privilege to be voted as one of the toughest players in the game and singled out teammate Mark O'Meley and Brisbane pair Petero Civoniceva and Darren Lockyer for special mention.
"Those guys are tough," Mason said. "I think Petero is the toughest. He does it week in, week out."
Mason's team, the Bulldogs, were voted the team fans loved to hate (27 per cent) but also the most supported (12 per cent).
SOURCE: http://www.news.com.au/sundaytelegraph/story/0,,22140592-5001023,00.html
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