FED-UP NRL chief executive David Gallop has put Willie Mason squarely back in his box over the controversial forward's bizarre tirade about "fat businessmen" costing him a contract - telling him yesterday: "You just don't get it."
Gallop said he was stunned by Mason's claims at his first press conference since joining the Cowboys that ill-informed directors at other NRL clubs had kyboshed his attempt to find somewhere else to play after the Roosters had decided to cut him adrift with one year remaining on his contract.
So bemused was Gallop, he phoned Cowboys chief executive Peter Parr to express his dissatisfaction. Parr told Gallop he was "appalled" - although Parr refused to confirm that last night.
"His [Mason's] comments demonstrate that he fundamentally doesn't get it - still," Gallop said.
"The fact is that people who sit on football club boards accept personal liability for the club's financial position and he needs to have a better appreciation of that," Gallop added. "The level of accountability that directors have is something he should wake up to."
Gallop called Parr as soon as he learnt of Mason's remarks on Tuesday and also said he would be concerned if others had advised Mason to lash out as he did.
"If he's been encouraged to have that view by people in football clubs who aren't on the board, then that is very alarming," Gallop said. "I've spoken to Peter Parr, who was equally appalled.
"He told me that he'd spoken to Willie about it. The Cowboys are a great example of a club that has directors who put their heart and soul into the joint."
Parr was tightlipped about the comments when contacted last night. "I've had a conversation with Willie about it," he said.
"What was said remains between him and me.
"But I conveyed to Willie what David had to say."