A Michael Ennis-inspired Cronulla have thrashed South Sydney 28-12 in their NRL elimination final to move through to the second week of the playoffs.
Ennis had a hand in two of the Sharks tries at Allianz Stadium on Sunday, as he brilliantly controlled the ruck in the four-tries-to-two win.
Cronulla will play North Queensland in Townsville on Saturday night in the second semi-final, while the Rabbitohs’ premiership defence is over.
However Cronulla could be without Ennis next week after he was put on report for a 68th minute high tackle on Chris McQueen and also be in trouble for a first half high shot on Souths half Adam Reynolds.
Souths’ loss was made even worse when five-eighth Luke Keary was put on report for an incident which left Sharks captain Paul Gallen clutching at his eye.
After the tackle Gallen could be heard saying “I can’t see” over the referee’s microphone. But he did play on.
Replays appeared to show Keary’s hand very close to Gallen’s eye. In putting the incident on report referee Matt Cecchin said: “it’s been reviewed, his hand was above the eye”.
Greg Inglis played less than three weeks after undergoing knee surgery and was a shadow of his usual self, as he was clearly hampered by the injury and regularly attended to by Rabbitohs’ medical staff during the game.
Ennis and skipper Paul Gallen led the way for the Sharks, who have moved into the second week of the finals after their wooden spoon finish last season.
Sharks pivot Jack Bird opened the scoring in the 21st minute after he broke the line on a set play and ran 25m.
The Sharks added to that nine minutes later when Wade Graham pounced on a Jeff Robson kick that was fumbled by Paul Carter.
When Anthony Tupou crashed over from close range off an Ennis pass in the 36th minute the Sharks stretched their lead to 18-0, the halftime score.
Without George Burgess due to suspension, the Rabbitohs were dominated up front and the match was all but over when Ennis put Sam Tagataese over in the 61st minute.
Souths finally troubled the scorer when Dylan Walker beat the tackle of his opposite Ricky Leutele in the 67th minute, before Chris Grevsmuhl crossed in the 76th minute.
Inglis was put on report for a high tackle on Gallen in the 64th minute.
The crowd of 27,031 meant a record of 131,794 fans attended the first week of the NRL finals.
steveng
Roar Rookie
"Renegade" yeah it might have been a charge 'after the event' and the game was over, what's the use in that? That should have been a 'penalty', but was not noticed or given by the referees (it was reviewed by the video ref and not given) but after that when Souths did the same 'it was a straight out penalty', figure that out. Also, this incident was at a crucial part of the start of the game when Souths were attacking and could have scored and taken a lead, with that penalty and another 6 tackles. That is what I'm pointing out and talking about, this happened all game 'a one way penalty street' to the Sharks. Yes, Keary's eye gouge (could have been an accident also) should be punished (by the judiciary) but fore mostly, it was given as a penalty which Ennis's 'head high' was not and it should of been, it was reviewed by the video ref like the Keary incident and the ref 'didn't want to know anything about it', why? And "Samtwocan" I'm Not Suffering From Anything! I've been critical of Souths just as much (if not more) then what I've been of the referees all season, and this game (and allot more) this season were shockers and they will continue to be, if we as fans and the clubs don't stand up to the pattern that the refereeing in the NRL is taking, with selective 'eve sight' and 'selective ruling'. Have a look at the mistakes that the referees have made in the 3 out of 4 games that were played in week one, the only game that stood out (and stood out for the whole season) was the Broncos vs Cowboys game, both in how well it was officiated and how above average the quality of the game was, and that was, because of good and on the spot refereeing! RL is not 'Rocket Science' its as simple as the game between the Broncos vs the Cowboys!
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
Paul Gallen's comments were interesting. As quoted in the SMH: "He was just reaching around," said Gallen. "It was an accident. He told me during the game it was an accident. On the field, we do what we have to do. I did what I had to do to get a penalty. I don't think anything will come of it." Nevertheless, regardless of whether Keary was intentionally gouging or "just reaching around" and regardless of whether Gallen was seriously incapacitated or just trying to get the penalty, it was a stupid thing for Keary to do and I was surprised he wasn't binned for 10 minutes. Oh and on the comments above, there is clearly a lot of hate for both Ennis and Gallen but they are both great players. In my view there is no player who has contributed more to the Sharks success this year than Ennis.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Ennis was charged with a grade 1 careless high tackle as expected .... there was nothing in the incident that he was placed on report for and will be free to play with an early guilty plea. Luke ' Eye Gouging Grub' Keary however will be suspended as expected.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Yeah and you did? Or you must have watched the game with 'Rose Coloured Glasses' that is how the new Ennis Sharkies fans watch the games, just like the Doggies fans use to do and use every excuse in the book to justify Ennis's grubby acts. Well done Ennis keep going and just do whatever you want, as the refereeing and the officials will do bugger all to stop you!
Samtwocan
Guest
He just suffering from post premiership defence depression .
Renegade
Roar Guru
LOL another guy who didn't watch the game I see....
jacksyd
Guest
If Ennis doesn't cop 1 week then the door is open for this precedent to be used for the remainder of the finals to get off. Let's see how player welfare is looked upon on Monday night.
Barick
Guest
Not surprised the sharks were involved in a spiteful match, it is how they win games, and the refs let them niggle and grub all day, pity they can't play footy to win, watch them turn up the grub acts against the cows with the ref turning the cheek the other way.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Refs hav been the butt of complaints since the year dot,what's new?.They are human.Yet many people seem to ignore the many acts of stupidity of players deserving of penalties. steveng needs to open his peepers occasionally.No mention by him of the alleged eye gougeI note."Stiff arm" strange definition of that act.
Renegade
Roar Guru
I don't think Steven even watches the games... His comments are just bizarre.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
You realise your team has an eye gouger amongst it
steveng
Roar Rookie
Nah, Ennis is and has always been a grub and is there to cause and stir up trouble and his main aim is to niggle and irritate the opposition to put them off the game. I don't know if that is his main aim in being a football player? Because he has proven that he is useless at SOO or any rep football. You will see that next week when the Sharks play the Cowboys he will be back to doing what he does best, the bloke can't help himself and the refs let him getaway with it and never ever reprimand him or sin bin him.
Barick
Guest
Ennis the grub should miss a week .... but any money he gets off, all south will be calling it would not be good for the game if he misses a week as his Coach Flanagan has already started chanting and the NSW review committee to cumble
Mike Dugg
Roar Rookie
A bit harsh on ennis
steveng
Roar Rookie
Ennis is a grub, he has proven that week in and week out, or should that be 'every season'. That first 'stiff arm' should have been penalised today (but the grub got away with it). The refereeing was atrocious and no wonder that coaches are being 'gaged and panelised' about complaining of refereeing performances like we had today, the NRL should really have a good look at how their games are being officiated if they want fans to follow RL. It was a very disappointing game to watch as South Sydney supporter and that is, both watching the Bunnies 'poor play' and even more so, watching the disastrous refereeing of this game and all the games throughout the 2015 season. This does not only apply to this game, but it applies to allot of games and sides that have complained and have suffered enormously from both refereeing and video refereeing decisions in 2015. Very disappointing!
littleredrooster
Guest
The NRL giveth and the NRL taketh away.
Mike Dugg
Roar Rookie
Ennis was great