Hazem El Masri will play the last NRL regular season home game of his storied career when the Bulldogs play the Warriors at ANZ Stadium this Sunday and all manner of fanfare is being planned for the match.
It has been well documented, this year more than ever, that El Masri has been one of the game's leading off field torch bearers for all that is good in rugby league and indeed the greater community for most of his stellar 14-year NRL career.
To go with that, and what should never be forgotten, is an on-field resume that boasts well over 300 first grade games, a Premiership, all-time NRL point scoring records and City, NSW and Australian jerseys.
Not a bad CV for a Muslim boy born in Lebanon who didn’t even arrive in this country UNTIL he was 12.
The Bulldogs will show their recognition of a club legend, by for the first time ever after a Rugby League match allow fans onto the hallowed ANZ Stadium turf. They will also have 5,500 supporters join together to unveil placards with a special message for Hazem just prior to kick-off.
To top it off there will be free entry for ALL members of ALL NRL clubs. That's not a misprint. The Bulldogs are going to allow members from rival clubs to come along and send off Hazem in style - for free. Kids under 15 get in free too.
So here is a club, much maligned for their off field culture and administration a little over 12 months ago, leading the NRL in 'how to promote the game' stakes by paying tribute to a guy who wrote the modern day book of 'how to promote the game'.
I have never been a fan of the Bulldogs. Actually, I’ve been a Bulldog hater most of my life. But I’ve never hated Hazem. I could even say I’ve liked him a lot.
This week for 80 minutes (or maybe around 100) I am going to be a Bulldogs fan. A fan because of the way CEO Todd Greenberg and his staff have shown all how things can be done off the field because of the way one man has kicked goals both literally and figuratively inside and outside the arena.
All hail Hazem!!
Sunday won't be the end for El Masri – the Bulldogs play the Wests Tigers at the Sydney Football Stadium in the last premiership round and then will be a big contender in the semi-finals.
I can’t say I’ll support the Doggies after this game – but I’ll always have a soft spot for the man they call 'El Magic'.
Here, here! I must say the league has lost much of its shine for me over the past few years, but one man remaining all-together in the midst of such chaos ought to be recognised. It's no small feat.
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