Playing Career
Vital Statistics
- Nickname(s)
- El Magic
- Born
- Thursday, 1st April, 1976
- Current Age
- 49 years and 362 days
- Place Of Birth
- Tripoli, Lebanon
Honours & Awards
Based only on data available in the RLP database. This information should be used as a guide only.
- City vs Country
- 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007
- NRL Premiership
- 2004
- NSW Reserve Grade
- 1998
- 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.
| Representative Career - International | Comp Wins | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests (Senior International Matches) | - | 12 | 14 | 74 | - | 204 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 66.67% | List | ||||
| World Cup | - | 3 | 3 | 6 | - | 24 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0.00% | List | ||||
| Representative Career - Australia | Comp Wins | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| State of Origin | - | 1 | 1 | 3 | - | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | List | ||||
| City vs Country | 4 | 6 | 1 | 14 | - | 32 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 66.67% | List | ||||
| Club Career - Australia | Comp Wins | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| ARL/Super League/NRL Premiership | 1 | 317 | 159 | 891 | - | 2418 | 182 | 128 | 7 | 57.41% | List | ||||
| ARL/Super League/NRL Finals | - | 18 | 9 | 53 | - | 142 | 7 | 11 | 0 | 38.89% | List | ||||
| Other | Comp Wins | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| World Club Challenge | - | 1 | 2 | 4 | - | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00% | List | ||||
| NSW Reserve Grade | 1 | 1 | 18 | 6 | - | 84 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | List | ||||
| Overall | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | |||||
| First Class | 337 | 177 | 986 | - | 2680 | 202 | 147 | 9 | 59.94% | List | |||||
Test Matches - By Team | |||||||||||||||
| Team | Years | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| Lebanon | 1998-00, 2002-03 | 11 | 14 | 70 | - | 196 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 63.64% | List | ||||
| Australia | 2002 | 1 | - | 4 | - | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | List | ||||
| Overall | 1998-2003 | 12 | 14 | 74 | 0 | 204 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 66.67% | 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 | ||||
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 | ||||
| Overall | 2001-2007 | 7 | 2 | 17 | 0 | 42 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 71.43% | List | ||||
ARL/Super League/NRL Premiership - 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 | |
ARL/Super League/NRL Premiership - 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 | |
NSW/QLD Cup - By Year | |||||||||||||||
| Team | Season | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| Canterbury (R) | NSWRL First Division 1998 | 1 | 15 | - | - | 60 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | List | ||||
NSW/QLD Cup - By Team | |||||||||||||||
| Team | Years | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| Canterbury (R) | 1998 | 1 | 1 | - | - | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | List | ||||
Contributions:
Andrew Ferguson, Rugby League Tables, Shawn Dollin, Greg Fiveash, AJ Lucantonio, Paul Carter, Alan Katzmann, Terry Liberopoulos, Bill Bates, Max Turner, Cymru RL, Tony McCarron, Tim Costello
Sources:
David Middleton's Rugby League Yearbook (1987-88 to present), Big League, 2006 Official Rugby League Annual
Your Say
23 May 2012 7:58pm
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.
16 Jun 2012 11:21pm
A champion in more ways than one,a role model to all.
18 Aug 2014 9:10am
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.
14 Aug 2015 9:37pm
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
13 Apr 2019 1:21am
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.
25 May 2019 9:29pm
He was apparently bullied, I can’t find any information on that
16 Jan 2021 11:16pm
One of the greatest most inspiring players of all time. Still inspiring players today. Just look at Cameron Smith.
26 Feb 2021 12:52pm
el magic is the best person you will ever see
26 Feb 2021 11:50pm
I used to go down to Canterbury training when I was off school and he would always say hello and be very friendly. Legend
10 Apr 2022 10:37am
He would have played more state of origin games if he was a bigger body. A true gentleman and the best goal kicker. ( goat )
17 May 2025 4:25am
7th inductee into the Canterbury Hall of Fame in 2025.
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