Bulldogs bad boy legend Willie Mason is confident he can ‘tame’ firebrand Tevita Pangai

He was a hard-nosed enforcer in his playing days with Canterbury – and now Willie Mason is convinced he can nurture Tevita Pangai Junior into the dynamic performer Bulldogs fans are anticipating.

The former Broncos and Panthers forward raised plenty of eyebrows with an ill-disciplined performance in his team’s final trial versus Cronulla – but Mason, who is on the club coaching staff, wasn’t overly concerned.

Speaking ahead of Canterbury’s round one tussle with North Queensland on Sunday evening in Townsville, Mason said it is a matter of harnessing Pangai Junior’s aggression. 

Bulldogs club great Willie Mason is confident off-season recruit Tevita Pangai Junior will excel in his new environment in 2022 – but others have doubts he can control himself on the field

Mason, who is on the coaching staff at the Bulldogs, is ‘excited’ by what Pangai Junior can offer

Pangai Jnr was ill-disciplined in a recent trial game against Cronulla (pictured) – but Mason said he just needs to harness his energy

‘He excites me – he runs hard and straight and opposition forwards don’t like playing against him,’ Mason, a premiership winner with Canterbury in 2004, said.

‘I’m just trying to simplify his game. He doesn’t have to push the pass or throw flick passes or anything like that. 

‘The guy’s got speed, he’s got footwork. If you are trying to tackle him you would be petrified.’

Mason added that in his eyes Pengai Junior is a ‘five-eighth in a torpedo body’ and he expects him to be a leader in the Bulldogs’ new-look pack.

It may only be round one, but a win at Queensland Country Bank Stadium for the Bulldogs could prove crucial for under-fire coach Trent Barrett.

After ‘winning’ the wooden spoon last season, Barrett is the bookies’ tip to be the first NRL coach sacked in 2022.

Utility Jake Averillo is firming to be picked as Canterbury’s halfback ahead of Kyle Flanagan and Brandon Wakeham.

Quick stat: After hosting the Broncos in round two, the Bulldogs have a torrid draw, facing the Sea Eagles (away), Storm (away), Panthers (home) and Rabbitohs (away).