WILLIE Mason's time for redemption is almost over. And he's quietly satisfied with the outcome.
Granted a rare break from football last week, Mason didn't embark on an exotic getaway. The 32-year-old instead re-acquainted himself with less boisterous pursuits.
Before Knights coach Wayne Bennett revived his NRL career in April, Mason trained alone in a small gym above Bronte RSL without any guarantees of a lifeline.
The Toronto junior has since grasped the only one on offer and is now eyeing a contract extension that will see out his playing days.
But improved job security hasn't blunted the personal drive that pushed Mason through so many hours of sweaty and uncertain solitude.
That's why he was back in the eastern beaches last week, hurling medicine balls, pushing iron sleds and tossing giant ropes under the watch of trainer Trent Langlands.
"Wayne gave us a week off, but I can't really afford to stop training and just do nothing at all," he says.
"I've worked so hard with guys like Trent and (sprint coach) Roger Fabri while I was without a club, so I've got to keep it up.
"There's no time for a break. I don't think going on a holiday will help me because I've only played six games."
Overseeing the competition's most disappointing side to date, Bennett gave his players complete freedom to freshen their bones ahead of last weekend's bye.
Some might view these extra cardio sessions as a surefire sign Mason still has critics to silence. Especially given the upcoming opponent is Wests Tigers, who travel to Hunter Stadium on Monday night.
But for misgivings from jumpy Tigers directors and sponsors at the eleventh hour in March, Mason would've been on the visitors' bus.
The setback was deflating - and not just because his comeback was left in even greater peril.
Mason was most annoyed that things he controls - fitness, desire and playing ability - had no bearing on the deal's demise.
It came down to his reputation as an outspoken troublemaker.
"That was a big thing for me. I felt no one looked at what I'd achieved in the game," Mason says.
"The media always wanted to talk about controversy."
And yet just as rugby league has always relied on characters like Mason to stand out, the teams themselves need personality to jell. Bennett quickly realised as much when arrived for his 25th season in the big show. In the wake of larrikins such as the Johns brothers and Mark Hughes, Newcastle's dressing room was too silent. Enter Mason.
According to the 192cm giant, Bennett wants him to instill two qualities at the club.
And size isn't one of them.
"It's energy and experience," Mason reveals.
"I think a lot of people over-complicate the game and make it harder than it really is.
"Wayne's biggest asset is that he keeps things simple. I try to replicate that with how I speak to the forwards.
"We just need to relax more. It's tough to enjoy football when you're losing, but that's what we've got to start doing.
"My role is to bring a bit of enjoyment. We are blessed to be playing in the NRL.
"No one should take that for granted. Being away, I realised that. No one who plays in this competition should waste a single game."
During one of their first meetings, Bennett handed his new recruit an unexpected yet important role.
"Wayne gave me the honour of being captain of the Coffee Club," Mason laughs. "It's good to be captain of a non-alcoholic drink. I get all the forwards together on days off to do a little bit of training and then have a bit of a chat.
"It can be about footy or just life in general over breakfast at Merewether Surf Club.
"The forwards have to be a tight unit and we're still coming together. We are getting along more."
Throughout his exile, Mason never lost faith that he would play NRL this season. His previous limbo is now being felt at the Knights as everyone involved endures the pain of Bennett's cultural overhaul.
So far there's been no sign of any reward.
"Wayne isn't the most successful coach in the game's history for nothing," Mason says.
