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Is Hazem El Masri about to take last kick
By Josh Massoud | March 05, 2009
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,25139168-5006066,00.htm
Super boot ... veteran Bulldogs winger
Hazem El Masri yesterday.
Photograph: Phil Hillyard / The Daily Telegraph
FOR more than a decade and nearly 300 games, Hazem El Masri's hamstrings have tied-up countless Bulldogs victories. But the valuable tendons that control the NRL's most deadly boot are now threatening to end a champion career.
Just six points away of breaking Andrew Johns' point-scoring record, El Masri yesterday revealed the milestone could coincide with his farewell season.
Although he played half the Bulldogs' trial win over Canberra last weekend, the 32-year-old struggled with hamstring complaints in 2008 and suffered two more setbacks over summer. The recurring injury has not only limited El Masri's goalkicking practice, but also brought the question of whether to continue beyond this season into sharper focus.
"I still don't know - I haven't made a decision about that yet," said El Masri, who is off-contract at the end of 2009. "I need to start the season and weigh up how the body is feeling. The off-season was hard, but I've been training really well the last couple of weeks.
"Whether I want to play on will be determined by how my body holds up week-to-week."
El Masri's sizeable fan club received a jolt recently, when new coach Kevin Moore declared there were no guarantees about the winger's position in a side bristling with backline talent.
But the statement came as no surprise to El Masri. Only nine games shy of becoming the first player to make 300 top-grade appearances for the Bulldogs, he is "realistic" about the challenges this season.
"I've had a heart-to heart with Kev and he's been honest and up front," El Masri said.
"I made it clear that I don't want to let the team down. If I've got injuries and I don't feel as though I'm performing at my best, I'll stand aside. I've had a few injuries crop up with my back and hamstrings, so I need to be healthy to play my best footy.
"I've concentrated on cardio work, swimming and running. But the test is doing the explosive stuff. That's when I've had a few problems recently.
"I'm going to have to get through that, however, because that's what you need to do in a game. I'm going to be going 100 miles an hour. If I break down, then so be it.
"When you get to this stage of your career, you've got to be realistic about the fact there's young guys coming through.
"If I'm not up to it I'm more than happy to . . . not let anyone down. I'd rather give my position to someone else than play below my best."
Every member of the blue and white army has their fingers crossed that El Masri will be fit to play in the Bulldogs' season-opener against Manly on Saturday week.
Thanks to a rare off-day with the boot in last year's final game against Canberra, El Masri now has the special chance to overtake Johns before his home crowd.
"I needed 14 points to break the record (in Canberra), but to be honest it probably wasn't the time or place for it to happen," he admitted.
"Don't get me wrong - I didn't want to miss four goals. I felt terrible and was still disappointed for weeks afterwards.
"But in the end, this achievement deserves something better. It was also an away game and I'd love nothing more to break the record at home in front of Bulldogs fans."
By Josh Massoud | March 05, 2009
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,25139168-5006066,00.htm
Super boot ... veteran Bulldogs winger
Hazem El Masri yesterday.
Photograph: Phil Hillyard / The Daily Telegraph
FOR more than a decade and nearly 300 games, Hazem El Masri's hamstrings have tied-up countless Bulldogs victories. But the valuable tendons that control the NRL's most deadly boot are now threatening to end a champion career.
Just six points away of breaking Andrew Johns' point-scoring record, El Masri yesterday revealed the milestone could coincide with his farewell season.
Although he played half the Bulldogs' trial win over Canberra last weekend, the 32-year-old struggled with hamstring complaints in 2008 and suffered two more setbacks over summer. The recurring injury has not only limited El Masri's goalkicking practice, but also brought the question of whether to continue beyond this season into sharper focus.
"I still don't know - I haven't made a decision about that yet," said El Masri, who is off-contract at the end of 2009. "I need to start the season and weigh up how the body is feeling. The off-season was hard, but I've been training really well the last couple of weeks.
"Whether I want to play on will be determined by how my body holds up week-to-week."
El Masri's sizeable fan club received a jolt recently, when new coach Kevin Moore declared there were no guarantees about the winger's position in a side bristling with backline talent.
But the statement came as no surprise to El Masri. Only nine games shy of becoming the first player to make 300 top-grade appearances for the Bulldogs, he is "realistic" about the challenges this season.
"I've had a heart-to heart with Kev and he's been honest and up front," El Masri said.
"I made it clear that I don't want to let the team down. If I've got injuries and I don't feel as though I'm performing at my best, I'll stand aside. I've had a few injuries crop up with my back and hamstrings, so I need to be healthy to play my best footy.
"I've concentrated on cardio work, swimming and running. But the test is doing the explosive stuff. That's when I've had a few problems recently.
"I'm going to have to get through that, however, because that's what you need to do in a game. I'm going to be going 100 miles an hour. If I break down, then so be it.
"When you get to this stage of your career, you've got to be realistic about the fact there's young guys coming through.
"If I'm not up to it I'm more than happy to . . . not let anyone down. I'd rather give my position to someone else than play below my best."
Every member of the blue and white army has their fingers crossed that El Masri will be fit to play in the Bulldogs' season-opener against Manly on Saturday week.
Thanks to a rare off-day with the boot in last year's final game against Canberra, El Masri now has the special chance to overtake Johns before his home crowd.
"I needed 14 points to break the record (in Canberra), but to be honest it probably wasn't the time or place for it to happen," he admitted.
"Don't get me wrong - I didn't want to miss four goals. I felt terrible and was still disappointed for weeks afterwards.
"But in the end, this achievement deserves something better. It was also an away game and I'd love nothing more to break the record at home in front of Bulldogs fans."
