Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Willie Mason expects Cowboys to provide better chance

Updated at 7:32 am on 10 February 2010

Controversial rugby league player Willie Mason has officially announced his NRL return at Townsville and says he wants to make his mark at his new club after accepting a lifeline from the North Queensland Cowboys.

Mason was dropped from the Sydney Roosters after the club had a poor 2009 season and used his first press conference for the Cowboys to voice his frustration.

Mason took a shot at other NRL clubs, saying they're run by fat businessmen and says he was unfairly treated by the Sydney media.

But the 24-Test veteran says there will be no excuses if he doesn't make his move north a success in 2010.

Mason says he's purposely signed a one-year deal with the Cowboys to put pressure on himself and see if he's still good enough to make it at the top level.

The NRL season gets underway next month.

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