One final fling for Ennis the menace

MICHAEL Ennis doesn’t want to die with the music in him.

Tonight, deep in ANZ Stadium, the Cronulla hooker will lace up his boots one last time.

After three cracks at an NRL grand final, two of which he was forced to watch from the sidelines, he will get one last chance at hoisting the ProvanSummons trophy before traipsing off into retirement.

It’s now or never for one of rugby league’s most polarising figures. A gentleman off the field, a serial pest on it. He has been at the top of his game for over 10 years and is arguably the best player of the last two decades never to have played test football.

It would be fitting for him to go out with a premiership ring, especially considering the legacy he has built for himself after two outstanding years in the Shire.

That he has never won a grand final still drives the 32-year-old. While he’s played State of Origin and won the Dally M hooker of the year in 2009, it remains a glaring omission on his resume.

‘‘It’s a great opportunity where you’re one of two chance of being a grand final winner,’’ Ennis said.

‘‘It’s certainly something that has driven me – especially after what happened in 2014. When I came here I was confident in the guys that we could get to it.

‘‘But there’s a lot that goes into getting there. A lot of things have to fall into place whether it be injuries, form, Origin – there’s so much that goes into a season.’’

In 2006 a season-ending knee injury robbed Ennis of the chance to play a part in Brisbane’s grand final win over Melbourne. In his place, Shaun Berrigan wore the No 9 and took home the Clive Churchill Medal.

Six years later, he finally got the chance to make the showpiece event with Canterbury, however Des Hasler’s side was outclassed by the Storm in a fiery affair.

It’s fitting that Ennis’ final game is against his old sparing partner – Storm, Queensland and Australian captain Cameron Smith. As well as meeting in the 2012 grand final, they clashed during seven State of Origin games – with Ennis coming out on top just twice. AAP