Willie Mason under investigation by NRL over relationship with TAB while working as a coach
Willie Mason in the doghouse with the NRL over relationship with betting agency TAB while working as a full-time coach at Canterbury-Bankstown
- Mason won a Grand Final with the Bulldogs
- Has returned as an assistant coach
- Under investigation for links to gambling companies
Former Bulldogs rugby league player Willie Mason has been asked to clarify his relationship with bookmaker TAB after the NRL Integrity Unit launched an investigation.
Mason currently works full-time as an assistant coach for the Bulldogs, and the Daily telegram has reported that its deal with TAB is under scrutiny.
The NRL spokesperson stated that the organization is aware of the matter and is working with the Bulldogs to get to the bottom of the matter.
Mason’s social media profile claims he is an ambassador and coach for the Bulldogs, as well as TAB. The bookmaker also sponsors its Levels podcast. Mason is often seen in the team locker room before and after games.
Aaron Warburton, the Bulldogs’ general manager, noted that Mason’s role is in trails, but he works with the NRL team to a lesser extent. He added that the team passed its job description to the NRL at their request.
Mason (center) pictured with former Bulldogs players Andrew Ryan, Sonny Bill Williams, Mark O’Meley and Willie Tonga
Mason mentions both his role as an assistant coach with the Bulldogs and his position as a TAB ambassador on his Twitter account
Mason returned to the Bulldogs early last year, having played a key role in the team’s 2004 NRL premiership victory.
He was appointed as a trajectory transition coach and worked to develop NRL prospects into elite footballers. Mason began his career with the Bulldogs and quickly became a cult hero due to his physical style of play and hulking body.
He was part of the team’s formidable striker that included players such as Sonny Bill Williams, Andrew Ryan, Mark O’Meley and Roy Asotasi.
Mason won the Clive Churchill Medal as the man of the match in the Bulldogs’ last Grand Final in 2004, making him one of only three forwards to have won the award.
After leaving the Bulldogs, he went on to play for several other teams, including the Roosters, Knights, Cowboys and Sea Eagles, as well as in Super League.
The NRL’s request for clarification on Mason’s relationship with TAB comes after former Wests Tigers great Robbie Farah was forced to leave his job at a bookmaker’s firm due to his role as an assistant coach at his former club.
The NRL also prevented Laurie Daley from joining Manly’s coaching staff because he worked for TAB on radio and TV.
The Bulldogs have had a mixed start to the season and are currently 12th on the ladder after six rounds.
They were heavily beaten 40–16 by South Sydney on Good Friday, with Josh Addo-Carr’s syndesmosis injury adding to the club’s injury woes.