Mason Pure of the Canterbury Bulldogs
Well before the dramatic exit of controversial forward Willie Mason from the Canterbury Bulldogs, a younger Mason has set his sights on first grade.
The imposing 191cm and 96kg of muscle by the name of Mason Pure is marking his own territory in the NRLs under 20s Toyota Cup competition.
Identified playing for the Northern Storm in New Zealands Bartercard Cup competition, former recruitment officer Keith Onslow lured Pure to the Bulldogs in November of 2006.
The outside back (winger or centre) recognised the opportunity afforded to him by the heavyweight Sydney team known as the family club.
The Dogs are a real family team; they really take care of you and make you feel welcome. Blokes like Hazem El-Masri are always willing to help or just have a chat, Pure told The Epoch Times.
The 19-year-old, of half Maori descent, represented the junior Kiwis side in 2006. This junior representative team contained Sonny Fai and Shaun Kenny-Dowall, who have both gone on to play first grade NRL for the Warriors and the Roosters respectively.
Pures path to the Bulldogs was the common union to league switch in his mid teens. I had played union all my life, so I thought the change to league would be a real challenge.
The part-time demolition worker is resolute with his ambitions. My goal for next year is to get a run in first grade, he said.
That would be just awesome.
Just as Mason Pures name insinuates, his playing style is as tough as granite, yet clean and fair.
When asked about the inevitable comparisons with namesake Willie Mason, Pure explained: I dont play anything like him; he is a top player and I dont have anything against him, but Sonny had all the glory here at the Dogs, so I guess Willie did what was best for him [referring to the bitter mid-contract defection of Willie Mason to the Sydney Roosters at the end of 2007].
Surprisingly, Pure names unsung forward Kane Cleal son of former Manly and Australian Test representative Noel Crusher Cleal as a player he tries to emulate.
I look up to Kane Cleal; hes a hard man. He runs hard and when he gets whacked, he just gets up, smiles and runs even harder the next time.
Coming back from a two month lay-off due to a shoulder dislocation, the determined Pure is out to ensure the new breed at Belmore are as uncompromising as his predecessors in the blue and white.
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