NRL: El Masri to call it a day

Bulldogs winger Hazem El Masri will retire at the end of the season after 14 years in first grade. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY - The NRL's greatest points scorer Hazem El Masri has announced he'll retire from rugby league at the end of the current season.

Master goal kicker El Masri, 33, said he made up his mind at the start of the year that his 14th season in the top grade would also be his last.

And the winger welcomed the opportunity to go out on a high with the Bulldogs, who currently share the NRL competition lead.

El Masri said the Bulldogs' wooden spoon performance last year spurred him to play on in 2009.

"I wanted to prove a point again," said El Masri.

"It was a disappointing year last year and with the new signings and a new coach I wanted to step it up for one year and make sure that I go out on a high.

"That's my aim at the moment just to go out on top on my own terms."

El Masri has scored 2318 points in first grade, including 154 tries and 851 goals from 1037 attempts, a success rate of 85.1 per cent.

- AAP