By Alan Nicolea -
August 28th 2009 @ 1:54am
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Magic career of El Masri set for a magical end
As we approach the final two rounds of the 2009 NRL season, the curtain is now starting to fall on one of rugby league’s greatest ever characters – both on and off the field.
This Sunday, the Bulldogs will play host to the Warriors in a match that is expected to draw a significant crowd, all eager to pay their respects to retiring winger Hazem El Masri.
The man appropriately named ‘El Magic’ will hang up his boots at the end of the season, putting an end to a remarkable career that has seen him become the NRL’s greatest ever point scorer.
His remarkable point scoring tally can be attributed to his divine skills as a both a goal kicker and a try scorer.
El Masri broke the NRL regular season point scoring record in 2004 scoring 342 points, in a year which saw the Bulldogs win the premiership.
No doubt his greatest moment with the tee in hand came in the 2002 season, when he slotted home a sideline conversion to hand the Bulldogs a remarkable 20-19 victory over the Newcastle Knights away from home.
Although he will be widely regarded as the Greatest goal kicker of all time, El Masri’s try scoring exploits were also of the highest order.
Since his debut in 1996, El Masri has scored over 150 four pointers, the most out of any Bulldogs player in history.
Indeed his potency for finding the try line and converting the majority of four pointers is one of the prime reasons why he has became the first Canterbury player in history to play over 300 games for the Bulldogs.
Despite his impressive on field resume, El Masri’s work outside the rugby league pitch is perhaps the main reason why the Canterbury faithful consider him the greatest Bulldog of them all.
El Masri was one of the first Lebanese Australians to step forward in the name of friendship and understanding in the wake of the racially motivated 2005 Cronulla riots.
He has since been widely respected for his community work with young people, winning the NRL’s Ken Stephen Award in 2002 – an award which recognises players who contribute to the betterment of their community away from rugby league.
So after a 12 year NRL career which has seen El Masri register a premiership ring, and a NSW Origin and Test jumper, ‘El Magic’ is approaching the final few hurdles of what has been a fantastic sporting career.
The 32 year old’s farewell from rugby league will start this Sunday against a Warriors unit that will no doubt be aiming to put on a show against the Bulldogs.
With their season all but over, the Warriors have the licence to play the expansive brand of football that has unfortunately not reared its head this season.
Indeed they will have to find something special to upset a Bulldogs side who will be eager to provide fond memories for a player that has meant so much to their cause this season, and in year’s gone by.
Judging by the way the Bulldogs are gearing up for September footy, do not be surprised if El Masri’s farewell from rugby league finishes with a grand final lap that he so fondly deserves.
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(12)
Brett McKay said | August 28th 2009 @ 8:29am | Report comment
Great stuff Alan, a more than fitting tribute..
Dogs Of War said | August 28th 2009 @ 8:40am | Report comment
Can’t wait to get to the game this week. On top of the news that we will be called Canterbury Bankstown again!
The club is moving in the right direction, and really these changes just make the club even better. Only problem is that I have to wait till next season to buy a full ensemble of supporter gear, I better start saving, as I want the new Bulldogs symbol on my gear.
boysy said | August 28th 2009 @ 9:21am | Report comment
I have to say I am no fan of the Doggies, their culture or their fans but El Masri is one of those rare players who crosses team rivalries and prejudices. He is a great player and, from all accounts, a great bloke. In a time when we are sick and tired of reading about boof heads doing boof headed things, it’s nice to remember there are players like this. Congrats on a great. Go the Chooks in 2010.
Chop said | August 28th 2009 @ 10:19am | Report comment
Alan, nice send off to one of the NRL’s good guys. They should have made the ad campaigns about while he was playing, he exemplifies not only Rugby League’s highest standards, but society’s highest standards.
Boysy I was just going to agree completely with you post until the last sentence
I’m painting up a Red, White and Blue wooden spoon as we speak.
Go the Mighty Eels
Pippinu said | August 28th 2009 @ 9:38am | Report comment
Nice article Alan. The El Masri story is a fantastic one in every respect and more Australians should know of it.
Alan Nicolea said | August 28th 2009 @ 10:10am | Report comment
Pippinu and Brett – Thanks for the support. El Masri has been a fine campaigner for Rugby League and really does deserve all the accolades he has recieved so far in his career. Indeed it is a pity that he did not play more Origin games for NSW. After his terrific debut in 2007, he really should have played more for mine. A very reliable character both on and off the field.
Dogs of War – indeed it is great news for the Bulldogs. It seems everthing is finally working out for the Belmore based club. Enjoy the good times i say.
Boysy – Yes, i am a Chooks supporter as well and that naturally makes me a rival of the Dogs. But out of most League players in the NRL, El Masri is one of the guys i respect the most. Farwell to a legend.
Alan Nicolea said | August 28th 2009 @ 10:32am | Report comment
Chop – Hey, the Sharks are still in the hunt too you know. Agree with the ad campaigns though, El Masri should have been featured because of the reasons you have stated. A great bloke.
oikee said | August 28th 2009 @ 2:47pm | Report comment
At the very least he has got the jerseys for playing each of those games,(test and state). On the footy show last nite he made mention of the good times he had playing for Lebanon. I bet those jersey’s would be right there with them. I dont think there is a person out there that does not like Hazem. A true great for the game when it needed a great most, imagine the year without him? Cheers Hazem.
oikee said | August 28th 2009 @ 2:49pm | Report comment
P.S, hopefully he gets a book out A.S.A.P, would be the best read for some time.
Alan Nicolea said | August 28th 2009 @ 4:12pm | Report comment
Oikee
Ten news reporter Bill Woods released a book about Hazem El Masri in 2007. I think it is a biography and i think it is called ‘El Magic – the life of El Masri.’
Dogs Of War said | August 28th 2009 @ 5:06pm | Report comment
Good read that one. Made me appreciate Hazem even more, his life before he came to Australia, and even as he made the grade, and some of the situations he got himself into, makes his success in Rugby League something that should be celebrated more. The way he conducts himself off the field is a something most of us should try to achieve.
Tom Alexander. said | August 28th 2009 @ 8:54pm | Report comment
Great article about a bloke who deserves the mantle of “champion.” The thing about him is that, while he is competitive in terms of the amount of hours he spends practicing and perfecting his skill, he does so without the big ego/bad attitude that we see in a lot of other sportspeople. A pretty humble guy.