Mason heading for Bulldogs exit

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Chairman George Peponis, flanked by chief executive Malcolm Noad and other board members, read from a brief statement to confirm Mason would be offered a release from the final two years of his contract.

"The board has met and resolved to give permission to Willie Mason to formally negotiate with other clubs both in England and in the NRL," Peponis said.

"Willie Mason will be asked to come before the board and he will be given the chance to put his case forward re: the breaking of any club rules.

"That opportunity will be afforded to Willie Mason when he returns from Melbourne some time next week. The club will not comment further until Willie Mason has had the opportunity to address the board."

The afternoon started in dramatic fashion when a dozen Bulldogs players entered the Canterbury League's Club to confront the board.

There were conflicting reports as to whether the 12 players - Sonny Bill Williams, Corey Hughes, Jarrad Hickey, Hazem El Masri, Andrew Ryan, Nick Kouparitsas, Reni Maitua, Luke Patten, Daniel Holdsworth, Willie Tonga, Brad Morrin, Daryl Millard - were there to support the board or Mason.

Patten, Hughes and Ryan spoke on behalf of the group as Mason's on-field value was weighed up against his off-field problems and the group decided to accept the board's decision whichever way it went.

Mason's eight-year stint at the club has been punctuated by controversy - the Dogs have been prepared to support the 27-year-old throughout countless dramas but finally lost patience when Mason objected to being banned from a charity boxing bout.

He was also facing a substantial fine for failing to show up at a number of official club functions.