Why were teams so keen to have Willy Mason on their side?

Question

I understand that he must be a very good player, but as someone who is from a largely AFL state, all I can see is that he is more trouble off the field than his value on field. I also struggle to see why any AFL team would want to touch Ben Cousins with a 10 foot pole.

Answer 1

I can tell you that most (not all) raiders fans dont want willy in our team.

He is arrogant and seems to put himself above the rest of the team and game.

We dont want any precious people playing for us, no matter how much experience they have (and we lack) because that will come with time.

i just dont like his behaviour

Answer 2

I agree with chris P willie is the most damaging ball runner in the game but he also is intimidating and thats what teams need. Each team has there big forward pack but intimidation is different. I dont think the roosters have the best forward pack with willie added to their squad but it will help them out. i still think the warriors pack is better they dont only have strength but they have youth, experienced and they too have damaging ball runners.

Answer 3

He has a lot of value on the field. I can't comment off the field cause all I know is from the media which is bias. There is no doubt whatsoever that he is still a worth while player to have (depending on his price) similar things can be said about ben Cousins. I can't stand him personally but only a fool would say he is not a class player, he is consistently one of the best ten players in the AFL.

The real question that you have touched on is whether their off field rubbish is worth putting up with for what they produce on the field. IMO for cousins it is not but for Willy it is. The West Coast Eagles will be in AFL bad books for a while because of Cousins. Watch them slide over the next few years - it is inevitable.

Bulldogs I don't think will be hurt so much if at all.

Answer 4

It's because hes an impact player. passionate and with so called "Leadership" qualities (more likely he can easily manipulate the players around him), hes Rep career is almost over so I wouldn't bother either !

Answer 5

because he has the body and toughness to win or turn a game but a brain the size of a pea

Answer 6

all the rest are good answers, not really. But the answer is simple. he is the most damaging ball runner in the game and now hes signed with the roosters,  and formed the best forward pack in the world, will only be more damaging playing alongside the likes of Lopini Paea, Anthony Tupou and David Shillington.