New signing Willie Mason is confident he can help the North Queensland Cowboys, who are 23.00 A$ with Sportsbet.com.au, clinch their first NRL title in 2010.

Mason, who has signed a one-year contract with the Townsville outfit, was told by former club the Sydney City Roosters that he needed to find a new club after a turbulent 2009 saw him in the headlines off the field rather than on the field.

Despite rumoured interest from Newcastle Mason opted to join the Cowboys and is relishing this new challenge in his career.

He told Foxsports.com.au: "If I can add a different dimension to the team and put my skills together with everybody else's, then I think we can have a fair chance at having a really successful year.

"I didn't really want to go to a club that wasn't going to be a top-eight contender and I think North Queensland are on the verge of something special."

Sportsbet.com.au also have the Cowboys 29.00AD to finish top of the ladder and claim the Minor Premiership, 11.00 to make the final and just 9.00 to finish with the wooden spoon.