I'm sticking with Roosters: Mason

Sydney Roosters prop Willie Mason says he's already looking ahead to next year's NRL
season and insists he will still be at the club in 2010.

With Brian Smith taking over as coach, Mason has been linked with moves to rugby
union in Japan or a switch to the English Superleague, but the colourful former NSW
and Test front-rower says has no plans to switch clubs, codes or country.
"I have been training with the Swans and there is also cricket here and lots of
sports I can dabble in," Mason joked.
"Look, I haven't played any other sport professionally. This is my 10th year playing
rugby league, I don't want to play another sport."
The 29-year-old also said he was unconcerned about the arrival of Smith and said he
had nothing to prove to the new Roosters supremo.
"I am not out to impress anyone, I am only playing for the 17 blokes in the same
jersey, not coaches," Mason said.
"I don't think Brian is worried about what I am doing. He is worried about getting
his Knights to the finals, not worried about me.
"He will do that next year."
With the Roosters anchored to the bottom of the ladder, Mason said the players were
not only playing to avoid the wooden spoon but also to send departing skipper Craig
Fitzgibbon as well Sia Soliola out on a high.
"Fitzy has been the heart and soul of the club for over 10 years and has four more
weeks for the club he has bled for so we have plenty to play for," he said.
However, Mason was less vocal about whether the same feeling was there for outgoing
coach Brad Fittler.
"It is just the players (we are playing for)," he said.
"It's sad for everyone who is leaving the club, but we are not just playing for one
person.
"Fitzy has been a massive part of the club but so have a lot of people who are going
including Freddie."
The departure of Fitzgibbon means Mason will be one of the oldest players at the
club next year, but he has no interest in becoming captain.
"I don't want to be captain of the club," he said.
"You have to do too many press conferences after the game when you have lost. I
don't mind it every now and again but there is too much responsibility.
"I would like to be part of a leadership group and just play footy, I just don't
want the 'C' next to my name."
The Roosters take on a Manly side on Saturday at the Sydney Football Stadium who
have lost their past two games, but Mason played down talk of divided camp among the
reigning premiers following the on-field spat between Matt Orford and Anthony
Watmough last week.
"It was just bad timing. I think the TV cameras got them spot on at the right
moment," he said.
"That's nothing, it's football. It's a back-rower firing up at a halfback for not
getting the ball.
"I do it to Pearcey (Mitchell Pearce) all the time, it's just the cameras never get
me!"