Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith expects no shortage of niggle as he prepares to battle Cronulla counterpart Michael Ennis for possibly the last time.
Ennis will retire at the end of the NRL season, meaning Saturday night’s battle for the minor premiership at AAMI Park could be his final showdown with Smith.
There has been no love lost between the hookers over the past 10 years – at both NRL and State of Origin level.
Ennis memorably mocked Smith in a 2014 elimination final, patting the national skipper on the head after a rare error during the lopsided match.
“Mick and I have had a fair rivalry for a while now and he’s played several games in State of Origin against me,” Smith said.
“I don’t know how it’ll pan out but he’s a fantastic player.
“He wants to win every battle he’s involved in and he does enjoy getting under the opposition’s skin.
“That’s something we can’t allow to affect us this weekend. There’s no doubt he’ll be at his scheming best.”
The Storm lost their cool in round four, when the Sharks successfully riled their opposition in a 14-6 triumph.
Cronulla prop Andrew Fifita in particular made it his mission to get in the face of Smith and fellow Queensland star Cooper Cronk.
“They played a really aggressive style of footy that night. They really got stuck into us,” Smith said.
“I don’t expect too much different this Saturday night.
“So it really comes down to the way we handle their physicality and aggression. I don’t think we handled it that well.”
Smith was full of respect for NSW skipper Paul Gallen, another member of Cronulla he has plenty of history with.
“He’s been a warrior for a long time … he’s been troubled by injury a lot the last 18 months but every time he gets out on the field he gets through a mountain of work,” Smith said.
“He will turn up this week and have 20 carries and is going to be asking questions of our defence all night, along with Michael Ennis.
“They are two wonderful players who will be at their best this weekend.”
MAX
Guest
Coop looked agitated after the Broncos defeat. He seemed to cut short Origin team mate Thaiday at the hand shake line up. Bellyache has previously indicated he would like to rest Cam and Coop. That would probably cost the club a $100K and draw the ire of Todd the Terrible.They will play and probably win, then a rest will be more important than the money. The Storm are not certainties. Michael Ennis won my admiration and respect at Canterbury which carries to this day. I would be delighted to see he and Paul Gallen have the games of their careers. They will need to do so.
Albo
Guest
It is probably more important for the Sharks to finish minor premiers, or else they could possibly end up third and into a first final away game at Canberra ! The Storm get a home final first up whether they win lose or draw ! The big query for both teams is that in finishing as the minor premiers it likely gives you a very dangerous first final game up against the Cowboys ( likely 4th) ! Can't wait for the rumours after this match !
bigJ
Guest
This game is going to be the game how decides the premiership, but I have done some research and stats so that wiining the minor premeriship does not mean that much. Last time a team did that was the Roosters in 2013 and then the storm in 07 and before that the broncos in 1998. The sharks won the monor premership in 1999 but the storm (ironcially enough) won the GF. So should teams go after this like its no tommorrow and let it all go or save themsleves for the finals. Both teams are guarnteed a spot in the finals so while kill themselves for this, at great game it will be but not the be all to end all. I hope this is not the last time Smith plays Ennis.