Peponis says Noad 'has full support' of Bulldogs board
By James Phelps and Josh Massoud
November 01, 2007 12:00am
BULLDOGS boss Malcolm Noad was last night assured he "won't be going anywhere" - but Willie Mason was not so lucky.
While he last night promised Noad would continue as CEO, Bulldogs chairman George Peponis extended no such assurances to the club's biggest star.
"I'll be talking to Willie, but Malcolm is not going anywhere," Peponis told The Daily Telegraph.
Those were hardly the words Mason wanted to hear, given the larger-than-life NRL megastar has already delivered the club a "him or me" ultimatum in regards to Noad.
Relations between the pair nose-dived towards the end of the season as the Bulldogs crashed from premiership contention on the back of four straight losses.
After their campaign ended with a whimper at the hands of rivals Parramatta, Mason spent the ensuing weeks urging drastic change at Belmore to return the club's once-fearsome renown.
Most thought he was referring to the Bulldogs' on-field tactics, which many pointed out had become too pedestrian.
But after yesterday's revelations that Mason is deeply bitter about being threatened with a $50,000 fine for skipping a grand final luncheon, it is now apparent his resentment extends well beyond the field of play.
Being prevented from taking part in a charity boxing bout that had the potential to raise $75,000 has further convinced Mason that the club at which he has forged his incredible reputation is no longer a workable fit.
And while Mason's main gripe surrounds Noad, he is also loath to continue working with a number of other staff in the football club office.
Coach Steve Folkes is not among them. Mason was one of his most vocal supporters when Folkes approached senior players immediately after the season to inquire about their loyalty.
All of this comes after the Bulldogs fined Mason $25,000 three seasons ago, reportedly for failing an in-house drug test. The 27-year-old still maintains his innocence.
Peponis denied a $50,000 fine had already been imposed for the human headline's latest alleged indiscretion.
"It has been discussed but it has not been said that there will definitely be a fine," Peponis said.
"I need to sit down with Willie and see what his issues are and see if we can resolve them."
The Bulldogs great also denied claims Noad had personally denied Mason permission to box for charity, and insisted any fine imposed "would be nowhere near $50,000".
Although two years remain on his current deal, The Daily Telegraph understands Mason's management has already began sourcing interest from other clubs. At least as far as NRL outfits are concerned, it appears a futile task, given no outfit could possibly afford the $400,000 asking fee for 2008.
The UK Super League, rugby union and even NFL franchise the New York Jets - with whom Mason trained last off-season - loom as alternative options.
