EXCLUSIVE

NSW Police will make an official risk assessment of Willie Mason's first match against the Bulldogs before a decision is made on extra security.

And The Sun-Herald can reveal ANZ Stadium chief executive Ken Edwards will tomorrow call for an unprecedented summit meeting between the NRL, Bulldogs, Roosters and respresentatives of the supporter groups of both clubs to map out a plan that ensures the most explosive match of the year, scheduled for April 4, is not marred by crowd disturbances.

"I cannot recall a time we have called in supporter groups to be part of the process," Edwards told the Sun-Herald. "We do not want anyone to doubt how serious we are about having the best possible security for this match. We are determined and committed to helping this game live up to all its potential, and having all the emotion and passion and atmosphere of a major sporting contest without anyone crossing the line."

Anti-Mason feelings from Dogs supporters will surge through ANZ Stadium like an electrical charge when the NRL's most provocative player takes on his old club for the first time since joining the enemy, the Roosters. Fears of the notorious Bulldogs fans returning to their trouble-making ways have been sparked by the clash being staged when and where they're most likely to attempt to run riot - at home on a Friday night. Channel Nine, not the NRL, decided the scheduling of the game.

"There will be a risk assessment by NSW Police," Edwards said.

"As always, we'll have a policy of ejecting people who misbehave, whose language is poor, who get intoxicated, who don't want to follow the instructions of our staff. We understand there will be a lot of extra interest because of the Willie Mason factor. There should be a crowd of 40,000 and we will be doing everything we can to make sure the crowd behaviour is spot-on ... The day after the game, all we want to be talking about is the football."

Mark down 7.30pm, April 4, as the moment Mason will be brought before his makers. Or, at least, the club that made him. He will feel and hear their wrath.

"Any offensive conduct brings the risk of a fairly immediate expulsion from the venue," Edwards said. "Our security, working closely with NSW Police, will eject people for offensive behaviour. This is a point I'd really like to stress - there is reserved seating for Bulldogs homes games, and there will be grounds for ejection for people who refuse to sit in their reserved seats.

"That's been a very successful response to previously having people milling together with the intention of not so much watching football but causing other disturbances. We can assure the Roosters supporters they will be in a Roosters-designated area with fellow Roosters fans, if that's where they want to be. The message for Roosters fans is this: they will be afforded all respect. They will get a good seat in a part of the stadium reserved as their own bay."

Past indiscretions by Dogs supporters have forced matches to be stopped and led the NRL to threaten a reduction of competition points unless spectator behaviour improved.

A large section of Bulldogs supporters view the circumstances surrounding Mason's exit - in particular, his criticism of coach Steve Folkes and proclamation that other leading Dogs wanted to follow him out of Belmore - as more of a spit in the face than a slap, and the high-profile Test forward will be copping it with both barrels because his former supporters are not shy about expressing their feelings.

"It's not about him [Mason] thinking he is bigger than the club or even his choice to play with the Roosters, but it's about him insulting the club," one supporter said on the club's official fan website. "The club is a lot more than a set of colours to us fans and Mason will be left in no doubt as to how we feel about this."