Hazem 'El Magic' El Masri

  • Playing Career

Playing Career

Vital Statistics

Nickname(s)
El Magic
Born
Thursday, 1st April, 1976
Current Age
47 years and 353 days
Place Of Birth
Tripoli, Lebanon

Awards & Accolades

Ken Stephen Medal
2002

Known Family Links

Brother
Samer El Masri

Biography

Exciting, unpredictable try-scoring winger, and a phenomenally consistent goal-kicker, has become a role model for a new generation of rugby league fans. The Bulldogs’ ‘Rookie of the Year’ in 1997, El Masri – a devout Muslim and a hard-working volunteer with Bankstown’s youth – was named the club’s Player of the Year in 2000 (he even had a local competition named after him). ‘El Magic’, as he is known to his fans, regularly shifted to the centres as well as filling in at fullback during the 2000 season. After captaining Lebanon in the 2000 World Cup, he finished the 2001 season by equalling Darryl Halligan’s club record of 270pts (his 19 tries also equalled the club record set by Chris Anderson in 1983 although this mark was bettered by Nigel Vagana the following year.) In 2002, the year the front-running Bulldogs were stripped of their competition points for rorting the salary cap El Masri made his only rep appearance to date when he landed four goals in Australia’s 32-24 win over NZ in October. The following year he kicked an Australian Rugby League record 35 consecutive goals (Bateley’s Barry Eaton kicked his 38th goal in a National League match in England on the same day). The leading point-scorer in consecutive seasons (2002-04) his 324pts (16t and a record 139g) in the Bulldogs’ premiership-winning 2004 season remains an individual points record that may never be bettered. However his value as a try-scorer (none better than the try to give the Bulldogs the lead in the 2004 grand final against the Roosters) should not be underestimated.
- ALAN WHITICKER

Playing Career Statistics

All statistics shown in this section are based only on data available in the RLP database, and are not necessarily a complete and/or 100% accurate representation of a player's career. This information should be used as a guide only. If you see a question mark (?), it denotes that the figure is not available.

To view a list of corresponding matches, click on the List button.

Competitions

Competition   App T G   GK % FG Pts W L D Win %  
NRL 317 159 891   - 2418 182 128 7 57.41% List
NRL Finals 18 9 53   - 142 7 11 0 38.89% List
World Cup 3 3 6   - 24 0 2 1 0.00% List
City vs Country 6 1 14   - 32 4 2 0 66.67% List
World Club Challenge 1 2 4   - 16 0 1 0 0.00% List
State of Origin 1 1 3   - 10 1 0 0 100.00% List


International

Test Matches - By Team

Team Years App T G   GK % FG Pts W L D Win %  
Lebanon 1998-00, 2002-03 9 14 70   - 196 5 3 1 55.56% List
Australia 2002 1 - 4   - 8 1 0 0 100.00% List
Overall1998-2003 10 14 74   0 204 6 3 1 60.00% List

World Cup Matches - By Team

Team Years App T G   GK % FG Pts W L D Win %  
Lebanon 1998-2000 3 3 6   - 24 0 2 1 0.00% List


Representative

Australia - By Team

Team Years App T G   GK % FG Pts W L D Win %  
NSW City 2001-05, 2007 6 1 14   - 32 4 2 0 66.67% List
NSW 2007 1 1 3   - 10 1 0 0 100.00% List
Overall2001-2007 7 2 17   0 42 5 2 0 71.43% List


Club Career

NRL/NSWRL - By Year

Team Season App T G   GK % FG Pts W L D Win %  
Canterbury ARL 1996 15 3 -   - 12 6 9 0 40.00% List
Canterbury Super League 1997 19 16 -   - 64 10 9 0 52.63% List
Canterbury NRL 1998 10 1 -   - 4 5 5 0 50.00% List
Canterbury NRL 1999 24 14 9 / 12 75.00% - 74 15 8 1 62.50% List
Bulldogs NRL 2000 26 10 -   - 40 10 15 1 38.46% List
Bulldogs NRL 2001 28 19 97 / 130 74.62% - 270 17 8 3 60.71% List
Bulldogs NRL 2002 24 12 103 / 128 80.47% - 254 20 3 1 83.33% List
Bulldogs NRL 2003 27 9 129 / 150 86.00% - 294 17 10 0 62.96% List
Bulldogs NRL 2004 28 16 139 / 167 83.23% - 342 22 6 0 78.57% List
Bulldogs NRL 2005 18 11 68 / 80 85.00% - 180 9 8 1 50.00% List
Bulldogs NRL 2006 26 17 114 / 132 86.36% - 296 17 9 0 65.38% List
Bulldogs NRL 2007 25 10 85 / 105 80.95% - 210 11 14 0 44.00% List
Bulldogs NRL 2008 21 7 51 / 66 77.27% - 130 4 17 0 19.05% List
Bulldogs NRL 2009 26 14 96 / 117 82.05% - 248 19 7 0 73.08% List

NRL/NSWRL - By Team

Team Years App T G   GK % FG Pts W L D Win %  
Canterbury 1996-09 317 159 891 / 1087 81.97% - 2418 182 128 7 57.41% List

Your Say

  • Anonymous
    23/05/2012

    In my view the most under-rated player of all time. One of the game's highest points scorer yet only one state of origin selection... Maybe if his name had been John Smith he'd not have been overlooked and NSW could have won more series.

  • Daz
    16/06/2012

    A champion in more ways than one,a role model to all.

  • Kevin
    18/08/2014

    One of the greatest sportsman to wear a rugby league jersey. A true champion and roll model for the younger generation. To meet this gentleman was an honour.

  • Bilal
    14/08/2015

    Played with his soccer in 1992/1993. Very good soccer player a a top footy player. Best goal kicker of all time in my opinion

  • Arthur Asciak
    13/04/2019

    Gentleman I only met him once on a personal matter to do with family. As soon as I shook his hand I felt at ease & was given advice that helped.

  • Jeff
    25/05/2019

    He was apparently bullied, I can’t find any information on that

  • Bob Vezina
    16/01/2021

    One of the greatest most inspiring players of all time. Still inspiring players today. Just look at Cameron Smith.

  • Anonymous
    26/02/2021

    el magic is the best person you will ever see

  • Sam
    26/02/2021

    I used to go down to Canterbury training when I was off school and he would always say hello and be very friendly. Legend

  • Billboy
    10/04/2022

    He would have played more state of origin games if he was a bigger body. A true gentleman and the best goal kicker. ( goat )

  • Want to have your say about this player? Add a comment.

Contributions: Rugby League Tables, Shawn Dollin, Andrew Ferguson, AJ Lucantonio, Greg Fiveash, Alan Katzmann, Terry Liberopoulos, Bill Bates, Paul Carter, Cymru RL

Sources: NRL Rugby League Yearbook 1998, NRL Rugby League Yearbook 2001, NRL Rugby League Yearbook 2002, NRL Rugby League Yearbook 2004, NRL 2004 Official Rugby League Annual, NRL Rugby League Yearbook 1999, NRL Rugby League Yearbook 2000, NRL Rugby League Yearbook 2003, ARL Rugby League Yearbook 1997, 2006 Official Rugby League Annual