The Unapologetic Willie Mason: From Rugby League Enforcer to Insightful Mentor

Willie Mason has observed the NRL for over 20 years as a junior player, NRL star, veteran, commentator and now as a coach.
The 43-year-old's keen eye is now paying dividends as as a pathways coach for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and a co-host one of rugby league's most popular podcasts on the 'Levels Network'.
We discussed various topics, including the 2024 season launch of the NRL in Vegas, his childhood, the impact of his father's death, the highs and lows of his career, relationships with Wayne Bennett and Phil Gould, the success of his new podcast with Justin Horo, how he guides players today as a coach and much more.
Timestamps:
00:00 Promo
01:11 Last time Mark & Willie saw each other
02:20 Grand Finals, Origin & Playing for Australia
07:00 Psychology & Childhood
10:43 Time at Bulldogs
19:40 Gus Gould
24:00 Wayne Bennet
27:01 How the NRL evolves
29:01 The Podcast Game
32:00 Mentoring & Coaching The Next Gen
42:01 Toughest Opponents & Favourite players
43:58 WIllie's Podcast
44:40 NRL Launch in Vegas
50:00 What the NRL should do for ex players

[@johnbambo9036]

Pretty obvious why people like Wayne and Gus resonate with Willie. Complete 180 degree turnaround in my opinion of you Willie, mate you are a thinker. Always remember people like Bennett and Gould, that's their DNA. they are unique individuals and whilst you can pick up bits and pieces you cannot replicate in yourself. Bouris another great interview.

[@mustacheoneday]

Great player, great to know the bloke behind the ball.

[@chek33official]

Some times I see a lot of people hate on Willie Mason and i just don't get it. Seems like a genuinely good dude.

[@daniellamanna834]

Great podcast! That bulldogs side in 2004 was insane

[@lewislibre]

Willie was every 2000’s kid favourite.

[@user-oo1mz9cj4s]

Mark, great show. Willie, very impressive. Articulate, thoughtful and balanced. Best of luck to you.

[@adamfahey108]

Its disgraceful these podcasts don't have 100k + subs.. Soooooo good

[@timduncan4541]

the flegg and S G ball squads are really lucky to benefit from the wisdom of willie mason ,,,,,it can only translate into future success at NRL level

[@wezdom_nz]

Never underestimate the power of observation.

[@will_274]

Great episode. Big Willie style.

[@helosandco]

Love this! What a link up!

[@user-nw6ic8yt9v]

Much respect for him and his family as i grew up with him his family in Toronto west

[@spencermckee9650]

Agree with most comments on here, hated him as a GB fan, but come to realise you'd love him on your team & he's someone you'd have a beer with too 🍻

[@shedwork]

Love the podcast Mark. Willie is awesome, what an eye opener of a discussion. I knew nothing about Willie besides being a great footy player. Straight outta Tronno! What a thinker, communicator and educator. Signed up for your podcast Willie and cant wait to get into it.

[@def108]

So good!!

[@grrrrrex1234]

Willie Mason = LEGEND!

[@jaytee7642]

Great interview 🎉

[@mattmcnicol3279]

Great episode!!

[@Tuilaione]

Great interview Mark.

[@samsquared3122]

What a pod 🙏

[@MariaWest-bt4mv]

Just love this man,Mountain, bit of a lead in his Footy Days,but lovebol,love this Podcast Mb,you are worth watching, keep up the Interesting interviews.MrMd,keep well 🦉🥊🐓😊

[@traceyann76]

Love this ❤

[@hardykilimann4406]

Interesting how Mark drew out the key leadership management points with big Willie. As a passionate QLDer, Willie needs to spend time with the NSW Blues, even coach them to keep the concept alive.

[@projectmayhem2330]

Mark “were you big when you were younger” Willie “no, not at all, I was only 6’1 95kg when I was 16” 😂😂 shows Willie has huge bodies in his family lol That is fucking huge compared to most kids that age. I’m 6’2 100kg and have hit weights for 20 years lol At 16 I was 5’20 72kg

[@DinkyDiTruBlu]

Can't compare ourselves to Polynesians.. like he said. Genetics

[@tommylob1409]

Great pod

[@ufconlyfamz69]

Wish he got to talk this much on Levels

[@cvarikos]

Riveting conversation about Gus and Wayne ... no-one talks about this stuff but we are interested.

[@rgw5830]

Phil Gould has had that power and authority since we saw footage of him walking between offices in Kerry Packer's suite of offices at Channel 9. Gus had the intellect and wisdom that Kerry Packer needed, and this often intimidating man listened, and learnt a lot from Gus Gould. If Willie wants a to leave a legacy - write a list of what a Family Club would look like, what he loved about Bullfrog's Bulldogs then ask Craig Laundy to sponsor a motherly type full time in her own office, and watch it happen. Look after Bronson (the fans loved him v Storm at Belmore), the best of medical care with checks and balances around Zane, ask how Burton could be happier, a small sponsored coach of Critta fans in No 4 jerseys from St Clair Samoan. And why can't the Bulldogs have a double header at Allianz Stadium? Put Gus onto why, instead of buying hotels at the Gold Coast - just buy ONE roof on Allianz Stadium.

[@martyjohnstone8226]

Big Willie! Used to think he was just a big mouth wanker, never gave him much time. But through levels i feel like ive gotten to know him on a more personal level, and realise he's just a straight up bloke, very intelligent and funny as hell. Love the poddy and your style Willie! And can now recognise what a devastating player you were 👊👊

[@PaniKahukiwa-ob5jm]

Real talk.

[@Alekosdw]

I am 2 m tall and I was 120 kg when I was 16 and I did play rugby league and I like to offload and sidestep and all my coaches said don’t do that “ just run straight and hard” Hearing this from Willie is sad cos there is a lot of guys that could pass and offload good but you never see that side of there game cos the coach thinks there useless cos there big 😮

[@okusfayreno8599]

Uncle Mark looking jacked 💪

[@Volks2462]

Love ya mase… 2004 what a team

[@MG-hx1cc]

Even through the bad years still loved the Doggies. Personalities and club culture was too good

[@aminyashed7338]

You’re talking like it’s gonna turn around 😂. Up the tigers

[@MG-hx1cc]

@@aminyashed7338 😀

[@BH-dsk]

I think you can throw Ivan Cleary into that category. Listen to some of his speaches to the players in the 'Undisputed' documentary. His calmness is contagious.

[@jamesistanbouli2679]

But he is not at the level of those bigger name coaches yet only the last 4 years he really shot up. The other coaches been top level for 10 plus years

[@BH-dsk]

@@jamesistanbouli2679 true, but none of the other coaches have done a threepeat.

[@samuellemoyne4791]

ONYA WILLIE!

[@juniorfinau84]

I need WIllie to mentor my son. How do I get in contact with him.

[@daleireland]

2 great blokes. Sorry Mark but Up the Bulldogs

[@briankennedy1192]

Like the part where willy preaches the basics. St George had a centre he's no longer at the club, i watched every game he played, not once did i ever see him pass or trying to position his outside man wouldn't have even crossed his mind, its his coaches who are to blame, he was a solid player in defence but he ended up at another club playing second row.

[@julianalderson3938]

Nice mark'

[@daryl5379]

Willie so great. Should go talk to that sport brat, baby Latrell Mitchell at Souths, mabye teach him how to man up on and off the field.

[@davidhart7792]

Is he still best mates with Jamie Peacock?

[@floodwaters8887]

Would be regarded as a all time great if he stayed at the Bulldogs.

[@mrsbradpittiful]

What about Boris saying she was giving coaching tips in The grand final to Ricky Stuart. Just stick to lending out money fella 😂

[@jdkapperino8541]

Chur uncle Wiremu

[@talkaboutit9200]

Wow . Didn't even know that.. mum is Samoan, Tongan.. U watch hamo claim U now . Hahahah . Kefss..

[@tobyargall8202]

What you see is what you get. Thats Willie Mason. Australia in particular Sydney has a way of shitting all over successful people. Reni Maitua said something similar on a recent podcast. Willie will never leave anything in the tank. The bloke will live 10 lifetimes.

[@poerava]

Dudes still not right after that hit from Kidwell

[@GoogleAccount-pt4zu]

What do you mean, Willie is a genuine bloke, he has a chat to you like he’s your best mate, that happened over 15 years, he was young, people change as they get older and experience things in there life, on the field he gave his best and put his heart on his sleeve, he played hard and sledged and was a character in the game which we don’t see much of. He said something silly and copped it right in the face and got a black eye for his troubles, I’m sure big Willie doesn’t hold any grudges, a genuine bloke who holds no grudges.

[@poerava]

@@GoogleAccount-pt4zu Calm down buddy. It was a joke. He seems like a nice guy now. Hope he’s overcome the little man syndrome that he had. I’ve had mates who worked security in clubs and said that said he would start a verbal shouting match, pushing and shoving everyone and anyone that looked at him sideways. A very tender little tiger. It’s a shame. A lot of big guys with anger and unresolved trauma issues have these challenges and it’s sad because they are such big blokes and need not feel as threatened as they do.

[@danefisher6198]

@@poeravabollocks, talked to him once at the Bar at Newcastle Brewery one night, (20yrs ago) even gee’d him up about Taxi Driver’s at the time, just laughed it off!

[@poerava]

@@danefisher6198 You got me bro. Shucks. My bad. All the bro’s, uso’s and toko’s who I did security with over the years must all be telling porkies about him frequently having verbal spats and push and shove blues, starting fights with randoms. I’ll let them know that your taxi story sorted it out and they must have their stories mixed up. Cheers man. Newcastle. Taxi. Cool. And even gee’d him up. Gotcha

[@vijays6911]

Mark is slowing down, losing his memory, fumbling over his words

[@gregdavis1341]

This bloke was a terrible player

[@Gamminn]

Mark is awsome love willlie