Puffing Willie sparks controversy

parragirl

Silly Willy ... Mason and friend enjoy a sneaky ciggie.

February 01, 2008 12:00am

SPORT stars being paid $1.4 million are expected to be in peak physical condition - and you'd think puffing on a cigarette would see their careers go up in smoke.

Except if you're Willie Mason.

Batten down the hatches in Bondi because, according to the Sydney Roosters, "it's a free world" where Mason is concerned.

Just two weeks out from the start of trial matches, the red carpet treatment is continuing for the Roosters' star recruit - as evidenced by the club's reaction to this photograph taken on Australia Day.

Staying true to his perennial party prince form, Mason spent the national holiday sunning it up on the Harbour aboard a $10 million luxury cruiser stocked with an ample supply of booze, bikini-clad babes . . . and ciggies.

Despite the ridiculous amount of money the Roosters have coughed up to secure Mason's talents, the club clearly don't mind if the NRL man mountain is the one coughing on the field when their first trial game kicks off on February 15.

"It's a free world," was the club's official comment yesterday when Confidential inquired about its stance on Mason's smoking habit.

Incredibly, the star forward himself put in a better defence for his hazy behaviour than the club - making a personal call to try and explain his actions.

"I never usually smoke - definitely not during the season - but it was Australia Day and I was just having a good time out with my mates," Mason said.

"I don't really think it's a big deal."

More concerning for Mason, who is in a long-term relationship with girlfriend Claire Hallinan, was the fact that he had been snapped with other females on board the yacht.

It's not the first time the Roosters have applied a long-leash approach to the former Bulldog, who holidayed in North Queensland while his new teammates were being flogged at pre-season training last November.

http://www.news.com.au/dailyteleg.../0,22049,23141095-5006066,00.html

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