State of Origin chorus for Willie Mason's NSW inclusion grows louder

HE'S 33 and has won just five times in 13 matches for NSW, but Willie Mason continues to be backed for Blues selection.

HE'S 33 and has won just five times in 13 matches for NSW, but Willie Mason continues to be backed as the answer to ending NSW's Origin heartache.

Calls for Laurie Daley to snap the giant prop's five-year Origin exile grew louder following his barnstorming display as the Knights trampled the Bulldogs last weekend.

Newcastle teammate and former NSW captain Kurt Gidley, himself in line for a Blues recall, today backed Mason to win a spot against the Maroons despite his poor record in rugby league's toughest arena.

"He's been great for us ever since he came to the Knights,'' Gidley told Sky Sports Radio today ahead of Sunday’s Origin team announcement.

"He's been enthusiastic and a real leader around training and obviously leading in the game by his actions. He's been good for us and he'd definitely do NSW the job if he's picked, that's for sure.''

The former Bulldog, Rooster and Cowboy played the last of his Origin matches in 2008 amid criticism his 121kg frame stampedes smaller rivals but is ineffective against similar big bodies.

Meanwhile, utility Gidley, who owns a record of three wins from 12 NSW starts, said his battered body was ready for another crack at dominant Queensland.