Monday Buzz: NRL could relax gambling rules amid Willie Mason, Bulldogs probe

The NRL will consider relaxing gambling rules that are preventing several rugby league legends from holding jobs at clubs.

The sport now makes $50 million a year from gambling sponsorship and licence fees from no less than 49 sports bookmakers across the country.

NRL executives want to review the guidelines that have stopped Laurie Daley from working at Manly and threaten Willie Mason’s role at the Canterbury Bulldogs.

As one official said: “Who wouldn’t want Laurie Daley in a mentoring role at an NRL club?

“And who could possibly question his integrity.”

Wests Tigers legend Robbie Farah has also been forced to cut ties with a bookmaking firm because he is an assistant coach at the club under Tim Sheens.

Mason’s relationship with the TAB is different to those of Daley and Farah, who have to provide betting tips.

His popular podcast is merely sponsored by the TAB.

He doesn’t tip or give inside information from the Bulldogs.

Mason is employed in pathways with the Bulldogs but occasionally helps out with the NRL side.

It is expected he will have to make some minor concessions, including not being in the dressing sheds before games.

It has been a controversial issue in rugby league because Melbourne Storm chairman Matt Tripp in his day job is one of the country’s bigger bookmakers as the boss of Betr.

He doesn’t provide tips but is still a big player in the industry.

As for Mason’s case, a decision will be made this week.

Bulldogs boss Aaron Warburton has provided his job description to the integrity unit as part of its investigations.

HOW WE BROKE THE STORY

The NRL has issued the Canterbury Bulldogs with a please explain over club legend Willie Mason’s paid relationship with the TAB while he is an assistant coach.

Laurie Daley was stopped from joining Manly because he works for the TAB’s radio network and Robbie Farah was also stopped from working for a bookmaking firm because he’s a Wests Tigers assistant coach.

At least the NRL integrity unit is being consistent.

On his social media Mason says he is a coach and an ambassador for the Bulldogs.

He also says he is a TAB ambassador. The betting agency sponsors his podcast.

Mason is a full time employee at the Bulldogs.

“His role is in pathways but he works with the NRL squad to a lesser extent,” said Bulldogs chief executive Aaron Warburton.

“We’ve passed his job description on to the NRL as per their request.”

Mason is often seen in the Bulldogs sheds with the NRL before and after games.

A spokesman for the NRL said: “The NRL is aware of the matter and is currently liaising with the Bulldogs.”

AGENT’S ASTONISHING SUAALII FEE

Isaac Moses, the manager of superstar teenager Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, has gone on an overseas holiday. We’re tipping he turned left on entering the aircraft.

Not bad for a couple of week’s work.

HIGHLIGHT

Fullbacks in full flight with Latrell Mitchell, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Dylan Edwards and Nick Meaney showing off their spectacular skills over the Easter weekend.

LOWLIGHT

Channel 9 couldn’t give a stuff about rugby league in Melbourne.

On Thursday night they buried the Melbourne Storm match against the Sydney Roosters on GEM in the southern capital.

Instead they ran a repeat of RBT on their main channel. AFL gets a much better go on Channel 7.

The network puts AFL on their main channels in each state, even in Queensland where NRL is surging with the Dolphins and Broncos.

SPOTTED

Player agent David Rawlings, who looks after a number of big-name rah-rahs, having lunch with Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan at the Centennial Hotel, no doubt discussing reports of unrest among Wallaby players over Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s $5 million contract.

SPOTTED

Foxtel boss Patrick Delany celebrated his 60th birthday in Shoal Bay over the weekend with his family and brothers Michael (the former Olympic swimmer), Rohan and Julian.

SPOTTED

Some agents go above and beyond with care for their players. Mario Tartak drove Josh Addo-Carr to an imaging centre in St Leonards and wheeled him in for X-rays after the Good Friday loss to the Rabbitohs. The Fox is out for six to eight weeks with syndesmosis.

SPOTTED

Boxing champ Tim Tszyu with No Limit boss Matt Rose watching his Rabbitohs demolish the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium.

SPOTTED

He might be a South Sydney Rabbitohs tragic but prime minister Anthony Albanese was a guest of the Canterbury Bulldogs at Accor Stadium on Good Friday. He was with major sponsor Arthur Laundy, CEO Aaron Warburton and chairman John Khoury.

360 VIEW

Catch you on NRL 360 after the Wests Tigers v Parramatta Eels match on Fox League with Lara Pitt, Paul Kent, Cooper Cronk, Michael Ennis and James Hooper.

BENNY’S BEST YET

Wayne Bennett has won seven premierships and made 10 grand finals.

Yet arguably his great coaching achievement is none of the above.

The manner in which he has presented the Dolphins into the NRL this year is, in my opinion, his finest accomplishment.

Every week this side takes the field with, on paper, an inferior outfit.

Players unwanted at other clubs.

They should get beaten on class each and every week.

On Friday night against the Cowboys they were without their half back Sean O’Sullivan and two most experienced forwards – Jesse Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi.

Somehow Bennett got them up again after a poor performance against St George-Illawarra.

The 73-year-old might not be as tactically astute as some of his coaching rivals.

Yet no person can get more out of a footballer or a team than the old super coach.