Ennis says Fifita could lead from front
MICHAEL Ennis has backed Andrew Fifita to “rise to the occasion” if the rampaging prop is handed the Cronulla captaincy for Friday night’s preliminary final in Melbourne.
With skipper Paul Gallen racing the clock to recover from a shoulder injury and fellow veteran Luke Lewis also under an injury cloud ( calf), it could potentially leave the Sharks’ leadership structure in tatters given co- captain Wade Graham is also injured.
The other big concern for Cronulla is that Cameron Smith will be in his element playing in front of a packed home crowd – and it goes without saying the Storm skipper is without peer when it comes to swinging his considerable influence on referees.
But Cronulla’s premiership winning hooker Ennis knows first- hand what it takes to beat the Storm on the big stage.
And Ennis has no doubt if coach Shane Flanagan decides to go with Fifita it would bring the best out in the giant front- rower.
“I don’t know if Gallen is going to play or if Lewis is going to play,” Ennis said. “And with no Wade also, Andrew becomes a vital part of the Cronulla side.
“To beat Melbourne you need to be at your absolute best.
“And I believe Andrew becomes the X- factor along with Valentine Holmes with no Wade Graham in the side.
“I think it would seem like a pretty smart move from Flanagan to elevate him given what we saw from Andrew at the start of the season.”
Fifita captained the Sharks in the absence of Gallen, Graham and Lewis back in Round 8 and Round 10, which resulted in wins over the Titans and Canberra.