Pure, Mason

Mason PURE [Player Stats]


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Pure breed of Mason
Fri July 18, 2008
by Ramy Haidar
Source: Epoch Times

Well before the dramatic exit of controversial forward Willie Mason from the Canterbury Bulldogs, a younger Mason has set his sights on first grade.

The imposing 191cm and 96kg of muscle by the name of Mason Pure is marking his own territory in the NRL's under 20's Toyota Cup competition.

Identified playing for the Northern Storm in New Zealand's Bartercard Cup competition, former recruitment officer Keith Onslow lured Pure to the Bulldogs in November of 2006.

The outside back (winger or centre) recognised the opportunity afforded to him by the heavyweight Sydney team known as "the family club".

"The 'Dogs are a real family team; they really take care of you and make you feel welcome. Blokes like Hazem El-Masri are always willing to help or just have a chat," Pure told The Epoch Times.

The 19-year-old, of half Maori descent, represented the junior Kiwis side in 2006. This junior representative team contained Sonny Fai and Shaun Kenny-Dowall, who have both gone on to play first grade NRL for the Warriors and the Roosters respectively.

Pure's path to the Bulldogs was the common union to league switch in his mid teens. "I had played union all my life, so I thought the change to league would be a real challenge."

The part-time demolition worker is resolute with his ambitions. "My goal for next year is to get a run in first grade," he said.

"That would be just awesome."

Just as Mason Pure's name insinuates, his playing style is as tough as granite, yet clean and fair.

When asked about the inevitable comparisons with namesake Willie Mason, Pure explained: "I don't play anything like him; he is a top player and I don't have anything against him, but Sonny had all the glory here at the 'Dogs, so I guess Willie did what was best for him [referring to the bitter mid-contract defection of Willie Mason to the Sydney Roosters at the end of 2007]".

Surprisingly, Pure names unsung forward Kane Cleal - son of former Manly and Australian Test representative Noel "Crusher" Cleal - as a player he tries to emulate.

"I look up to Kane Cleal; he's a hard man. He runs hard and when he gets whacked, he just gets up, smiles and runs even harder the next time."

Coming back from a two month lay-off due to a shoulder dislocation, the determined Pure is out to ensure the new breed at Belmore are as uncompromising as his predecessors in the blue and white.

Sent and Written By Ramy Haidar from Epoch Times

====================================================================================================== 2008 Toyota National Youth Competition Bulldogs 15 games; 9 tries, 36 points. [View] Round 1 [15 Mar 08] L 24-30 v Eels (A). [WG] [View] Round 2 [21 Mar 08] W 26-24 v Rabbitohs (A). [WG] [View] Round 3 [30 Mar 08] W 27-20 v Tigers (H). [WG] [View] Round 4 [04 Apr 08] W 38-10 v Roosters (H). [WG] 4 Pts; 1t [View] Round 5 [13 Apr 08] D 26-26 v Warriors (A). [WG] [View] Round 6 [19 Apr 08] L 22-32 v Dragons (H). [WG] [View] Round 16 [27 Jun 08] W 56-26 v Roosters (A). [WG] [View] Round 17 [07 Jul 08] D 29-29 v Rabbitohs (H). [WG] [View] Round 18 [13 Jul 08] W 33-16 v Broncos (A). [WG] 4 Pts; 1t [View] Round 19 [19 Jul 08] L 38-43 v Warriors (H). [WG] 4 Pts; 1t [View] Round 20 [28 Jul 08] W 18-12 v Dragons (A). [WG] [View] Round 21 [03 Aug 08] L 24-30 v Tigers (A). [WG] 4 Pts; 1t [View] Round 22 [09 Aug 08] W 34-22 v Cowboys (H). [WG] 12 Pts; 3t [View] Round 23 [16 Aug 08] W 38-18 v Panthers (A). [WG] 4 Pts; 1t [View] Round 24 [23 Aug 08] L 20-24 v Eels (H). [WG] 4 Pts; 1t ======================================================================================================

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