Bulldogs star Willie Mason is the player NRL fans love to hate, according to a poll in Friday's News Limited newspapers.

Mason attracted 26 per cent of the vote with his ex-Dogs teammate Braith Anasta, now with the Roosters, the second pick with six per cent.

The 115kg Mason has "won" the award for three successive years and says: "I don't take it personally."

The Bulldogs were also voted the team fans most love to hate (46 per cent).

Cowboys playmaker Johnathan Thurston was voted best player in the NRL with 35 per cent.

Anasta was voted most over-rated player (24 per cent).

Melbourne's Craig Bellamy was voted best coach so far this season (48 per cent).

Dragons mentor Nathan Brown was voted the worst coach in the NRL this season with 32 per cent.

Asked "which coach would you hate to have as your boss?", fans voted Newcastle's Brian Smith on top of the list with 29 per cent.

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