Bulldogs name Asotasi to take on the Broncos
Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes has named prop Roy Asotasi on the interchange bench for Friday's Preliminary Final
against the Broncos at Aussie Stadium.
Asotasi and Reni Maitua were cleared to play by a knee specialist today. Asotasi has been out with injury
since Round 24 when the 'Dogs lost 30-0 against the Broncos while Maitua suffered a knee injury in Round 26
against Penrith.
Folkes has opted to go with Maitua in the centres at the expense of young Ben Roberts.
| Bulldogs Team |
| 1. | Luke Patten |
| 2. | Hazem El Masri |
| 3. | Andrew Emelio |
| 4. | Reni Maitua |
| 5. | Matt Utai |
| 6. | Daniel Holdsworth |
| 7. | Brent Sherwin |
| 8. | Mark O'Meley |
| 9. | Corey Hughes |
| 10. | Nate Myles |
| 11. | Willie Mason |
| 12. | Andrew Ryan (c) |
| 13. | Sonny Bill Williams |
| Reserve Bench |
| 14. | Chris Armit |
| 15. | Roy Asotasi |
| 16. | Adam Perry |
| 17. | Nick Kouparitsas |
Folkes said, “Reni and Roy will be named in the 17-man team for this week. Roy will have a fitness test on Thursday to confirm his inclusion.”
Asotasi commented, “Getting the nod from the specialist is one hurdle I’ve cleared. It’s now up to the club doctor and the coach to determine if I’m right to play.”
Maitua commented, “It was good news from the specialist and I’m looking forward to running out on Friday night.”
Meanwhile, Winger Hazem El Masri will run out for his 300th game this Friday night in a Bulldogs jersey.
He will become only the second player to have played 300 club games for the Bulldogs. The other, his coach Steve Folkes, played 313 games for the Bulldogs across all grades.
El Masri made his grade debut for the Bulldogs in 1995 and one year later made his first grade debut for the Club.
In all, he has played 18 Jersey Flegg games (or equivalent), 30 Premier League games (or reserve grade equivalent), seven World Club Challenge games and 244 First Grade games.
In his 299 games, 30-year-old El Masri has scored 163 tries and kicked 665 goals for a points tally of 1,982.
Summary of other Bulldogs records racked up by Hazem El Masri:
- Most Points in a First Grade game – 34 (4t, 9g) v West Tigers – Round 2, 2006.
- Most Tries in First Grade – He is currently on 128 breaking Terry Lamb’s 123 tries.
- Most Tries for the Club – 163, 40 more than the next highest being Terry Lamb on 123.
- Most Goals in First Grade – He is currently on 655 goals which broke Daryl Halligan’s previous record of 630 goals.
- Most Points in First Grade – 1,822 points (128t, 655 goals).
- Most Club Points – 1,982 pts.
- Most Club Goals – 665. He holds the record with Daryl Halligan. One more goal and he holds the record on his own. The next best is Steve Gearin’s 499 goals.
NRL Premiership - First Preliminary Final
Bulldogs vs Brisbane Broncos
Aussie Stadium, Sydney
Friday Night, September 22
Kick-Off: 7:45pm (local time/AEST)
Live on Channel 9 from 7:30pm (NSW/QLD), and replayed Fox Sports Two from 10:30pm (AEST).
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