Veteran rugby league star Willie Mason questions Canberra Raiders leadership

NEWCASTLE veteran Willie Mason questions Canberra's leadership in the wake of the latest disciplinary drama involving one of the club's stars.

FERGO

NEWCASTLE veteran Willie Mason has questioned Canberra's leadership in the wake of the latest disciplinary drama involving one of the club's stars.

Speaking candidly about the latest incident surrounding Blake Ferguson, Mason asked whether the Raiders senior players were strong enough to come down hard on players who were tarnishing the club's name.

"I'm not sure Canberra have that whole system," Mason said on NRL360 after explaining how his Newcastle teammates would confront a player who had misbehaved.

"I don’t know if the senior players down there like David Shillington are strong enough people to say, 'Hey mate, you’re letting down the whole club and yourself personally.'

"I put it down to that club and the lack of leadership down there."

Ferguson was axed from the NSW squad ahead of game two of the State of Origin series and stood down from club football by the NRL after being formally charged with indecent assault of a female at a Cronulla nightclub.

This is not the first time the 23-year-old has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons. Earlier in the year he was dropped to reserve grade after breaking team protocol and drinking on a rooftop with fullback Josh Dugan.

Dugan was axed from the Raiders as a result of the incident and according to Mason, sends off alarm bells that there is a serious issue at the club. 

"There is obviously a lack of respect for that club," Mason said. 

"Dugan (and) Ferguson, they have pretty much done whatever they wanted to for the last couple of years and got away with it.

"…You don’t put your whole club underneath all that pressure."

Ferguson will contest the charges laid against him in Waverley Local Court on July 16.