Ennis gets one hand on the blue jumper
Roar Guru By Steve Kaless, 20 Apr 2009 Steve Kaless is a Roar Guru
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Michael Ennis in his usual position at the centre of a brawl during NRL Round 5, Bulldogs v Rabbitohs at Sydney Olympic Stadium, Monday, April 13, 2009. (AAP Image/Action Photographics, Colin Whelan)
The Bulldogs Michael Ennis looks to have moved himself into inside lane amongst the contenders for the NSW hooking position with another dominant game against the Eels on Sunday.
Currently it looks hard to see the selectors opting anyone bar Ennis as he represents the form player of one of the form sides and looks the obvious choice to replace Danny Buderus as the Blues hooker.
Ennis has a lot in his favour, he is tough, sharp out of dummy half, a good defender and has a good kicking game from dummy half.
His play is also fairly simple which would work well in a representative environment with limited preparation and he is an 80 minute player.
The former Bronco has been the best of the Bulldogs buys and has been in the middle of everything they have done well this season.
His main rival is the Tigers Robbie Farah, surely the rumours of Kurt Gidley at hooker have been plucked from the realms of fantasy. Farah is unfortunate in that just as his time looked to have come with the departure of Buderus to the UK, his form has somewhat slipped.
When the Tigers have looked good he has been in everything, but that has been a little thin on the ground on so far this season.
However, if the “Flying Falafel” is looking for an opportunity to stake his claim, what better opportunity than tonight against the Storm at Leichardt.
Lining up against Cameron Smith is the perfect audition for an aspiring hooker and toss in Queensland stars Greg Inglis, Dallas Johnson and Billy Slater and it is probably a more genuine Origin trial than City v Country.
A good performance might see him back in the frame, a poor one and the jersey looks to have slipped from his grasp.
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- Canterbury Bulldogs, Michael Ennis, NRL, Parramatta Eels, Robbie Farah, Rugby League
April 20th 2009 @ 9:09am
The Link said | April 20th 2009 @ 9:09am | Report comment
Steve – i’d like to see Ennis show some consistency in form for sustained periods (more than 5-6 rounds). Farah’s been consistently there abouts for a few years now. That being said if Ennis has a big game in City v Country then the jersey could be his.
Which poses the question – will it be Farah v Ennis in City v Country? Ennis started at Newcastle so i’m assuming he’s a bushie.
April 20th 2009 @ 1:37pm
The Answer said | April 20th 2009 @ 1:37pm | Report comment
Link, Farah has been the pick of a pretty average side for a few years. But this year has been below par, NSW selectors have often erred by picking blokes on reputation which is what a Farah selection would be now. I wouldn’t go anywhere near anyone in a Tigers jersey they have been awful for most of this year.
April 20th 2009 @ 2:32pm
Brett McKay said | April 20th 2009 @ 2:32pm | Report comment
I’ve never thought much of Farah or Ennis, but a lack of suitable alternative (I can only throw up Dean Young as a left-field smokey) means that form should dictate, and currently that means Ennis. Ennis just grates me as a player, but then if Paul Gallen can get a run in rep teams….
I’ve sometimes tagged Farah the “NRL’s Brad Hodge”, and this year he seems to living up to this tag, as well as all the talk (from himself, often…)
April 20th 2009 @ 2:53pm
Greg Russell said | April 20th 2009 @ 2:53pm | Report comment
Every Australian coach gets some favourite selections into his Kangaroo team. Robbie Farah is an obvious one for Tim Sheens, most logically as a bench utility. My point is just that it remains to be seen how Tim Sheens impacts upon selections, including at NSW, City and Country levels.
Similarly for Craig Bellamy. We saw last year just how much sway he was given in NSW selections (Ben Cross, Steve Turner, etc.). Selections like Terry Campese at 6 and Ennis at 9 for NSW may look obvious on the basis of form, but the reality is that these choices will only be made with the approval of Bellamy. I have absolutely no idea how he thinks on issues like this. From listening to ABC Grandstand yesterday afternoon, I don’t think Warren Ryan and David Morrow do either.
April 21st 2009 @ 7:38am
cosmos forever said | April 21st 2009 @ 7:38am | Report comment
If Ennis isn’t hooker and Alan Tongue in the side then NSW don’t really want to win.
I like Farrah a lot and reckon he is perfect as bench impact player this season – he’s been a bit below par so have him there to cover forwards and halves to get himself back up to speed (someone has to be there when the Blues Halfback has the traditional brain explosion).
April 21st 2009 @ 10:50am
The Link said | April 21st 2009 @ 10:50am | Report comment
From all reports honours were pretty even last night. I’d suggest that the choice of hooker for SOO 1 will come down to Bellyache’s game plan and the City v Country clash.
Interestingly Gus Gould on the weekend said he’d go for Dean Young over Ennis and Farah.
April 21st 2009 @ 7:36pm
oikee said | April 21st 2009 @ 7:36pm | Report comment
Look to be honest, i absolutely loved Ennis when he was at the broncos, he niggled and tormented other teams which is the reason why some dont like him but believe me, when this guy is on your team he is fantastic. Now he has gone to the dogs, ( forget the pun) i still enjoy his game. Shame the broncos have lost the guy, i have not noticed a real lot going on with the broncos hookers this year.
April 22nd 2009 @ 12:40pm
TammyS said | April 22nd 2009 @ 12:40pm | Report comment
Farah should be the hooker. He’s been in good form for the past 2 years and I dont think he has performered “badly” enough to lose the no. 9 jersey
April 23rd 2009 @ 4:34pm
kevin from glebe said | April 23rd 2009 @ 4:34pm | Report comment
farah has been the consistently best hooker in the comp bar injury for the past 3 years. who gives a rats about what ennis has done this season, where has he been the other seasons? piggy backing the qld SOO team at the broncos thats where. anyone can do that. robbie should of had the dally m couple of seasons ago too. how many of these other so called hookers thrown into the mix have been close to dally m besides robbie in previous seasons from nsw? none. im not saying that ennis is not worthy or young either but farah offers a tonne more in attack.
April 23rd 2009 @ 5:12pm
Chop said | April 23rd 2009 @ 5:12pm | Report comment
Kevin Kevin Kevin,
Farrah has been well behind Cam Smith and Danny Buderus over the last three years, injured or not.
Based on your premise, we should be naming Andrew Johns as 1/2 back, he’s probably still the best 1/2 back of the last 3 years eligible for NSW.
Robbie Farrah is the Brad Hodge of Rugby League !!!! He blows his own trumpet way WAY to much and has a good cry when people don’t agree with him.
Michael Ennis is playing better this year (in my opinion) and if Farrah gets picked I hope it’s because the selectors think his form this year warrants is, not because he’s been second for so long behind Buderus that they have some loyalty to finally give him a go….