Price, El Masri and Thurston all on
deck

The Bulldogs have today added captain Steve Price and winger Hazem El Masri to their list of contracted players with both signing for another two years with the Club.

Price has been with the Bulldogs since 1993 and took over the captaincy this season. Under his leadership the Bulldogs have lost just one game all year and the added responsibility has seen his football return to State of Origin standard. Last year Price received his Life Membership of the Bulldogs, a rare honour for a current player.

El Masri is another Bulldogs local junior to have established himself as a force in the NRL. Currently the second highest pointscorer El Masri has had no trouble taking over the goal kicking duties from legend Daryl Halligan and his diligence on the field is matched by his work in the community.

“We've got a very talented young football team at the moment and if we can keep them together we'll continue to be dangerous for the next few years. Steve Price has done an exceptional job leading the side this year and we're delighted to have him at the helm for the next two years. Aside from his obvious ability on the field Hazem is a tremendous role model for our supporters and an extremely valued member of our Club,” Mr Hagan said.

“We work very hard on looking after our players and fostering a culture of loyalty so it's particularly heartening to have re-signed five players in the past week who all began their careers with the Bulldogs.”

The Bulldogs have also re-signed rising star Jonathan Thurston who made his first grade debut in round 13 against the Penrith Panthers. Playing at five-eighth Thurston, 19, has been in outstanding form in the Bulldogs first division side and played in the curtain raisers for State of Origin One and Three for the NSW Under 19s and the NSW Residents side.