Let me get this straight: Ricky Stuart and lots of Canberra fans are getting upset that Mick Ennis acted like a grub after the Sharks’ hard fought victory over the Raiders.
Ennis acted like a classless grub? No shit Sherlock. That’s what he does. He’s made a career of it. It’s his trademark. And on this occasion it was his right.
So he baited some Raiders fans. From the footage I’ve seen they were giving it to him both barrels and Mick just responded by ironically doing the ‘Viking Clap’ at them.
To the victor goes the spoils, people. And Mick won. Suck it up. (Click to Tweet)
His action has its mirror in a similar event, after the Battle of Agincourt on October 25, 1415. The French forces were overwhelmingly superior to those of the British forces of Henry V. The story goes that the introduction of the Welsh long-bow was quite a game changer. This weapon could conceivably take the superiority in the field of battle from the knights in armour and deliver it to the archers.
The French king said that when the fight was over he would cut the bow finger from every Englishman in France.
Of course, when the fight was over, the English had won a famous victory and the French monarch was unable to carry out his threat.
The English soldiers, reveling in their victory, turned en masse towards the French noblemen that were gathered on the nearby hill and as one showed them that they still all had that finger by holding it aloft. And thus ‘giving the bird’ (something to do with feathers on the arrow) was born.
All Ennis did was give those he defeated the equivalent salute.
Ricky’s words of indignation were mostly there to wind his own supporters up. He needs them to turn back up in numbers and be passionate – more passionate – if the Raiders are to beat the surging Panthers this weekend. Ricky needs a full-80 minute, mouth-foaming, decibel-booming, totally parochial effort from his fans, and he is rightly trying to arc them up.
However, Ricky is right: it wasn’t classy or respectful. But we are talking about Mick Ennis here.
To Ennis’ credit he has never claimed to possess either attribute. And now at the very end of his 14-year career, he ain’t about to start.
Say what you will about the head-geared grub, there is no subtext or hypocrisy about him. He is what he is, and he owns it.
And there is a reason he owns it: it’s all he has.
He has never been the best at anything except being a grub.
The boy from Coffs Harbour left the Knights because he was never going to dislodge Danny Buderus, who was clearly a better hooker.
While he then left the Dragons for the greener fields of Brisbane, a ruptured ACL ended his season in just Round 5 of 2006, and he had to sit on the sidelines and watch his replacement, Shaun Berrigan, win the Clive Churchill Medal.
From that point, Ennis was again down the pecking order, and in 2009 he went to the Bulldogs.
He was so close to winning the title in 2012 – his only grand final appearance – but had to settle for being the bridesmaid. In 2014 his side again made the grand final, but he was injured once more and missed the game.
His luck hasn’t been great in the representative arena. While he has played eight games in sky blue, he has only chalked up three wins and not played in a winning series, with Cam Smith having constantly bested him.
After State of Origin 3 in 2010, there were calls for him never to play for NSW ever again after he punched Nate Myles, giving away a penalty that led to Queensland’s winning try. This season he was overlooked in favour of Robbie Farah.
He has never won a grand final. He has never won a series with NSW, and he has never played for Australia.
What Ennis does have is a competitive fire that burns bright and hot. Sure, it means he harasses, and niggles and cheats (Ennis has conceded 72 penalties in the last three seasons, only James Maloney is worse, with 73), but try and find a club that wouldn’t happily have him back.
He is heart and soul. You never have to wonder if he’s going to give his all. He will.
Then-Bulldogs coach Kevin Moore said of Ennis, “Mick is the kind of player that any head coach would love to have in his side. He leaves nothing to chance, he’s a natural leader, is about the fittest bloke in the team and he gives us outstanding direction on and off the field.”
Now Ennis stands on the precipice of possible glory at the very end of his career. Will he once more be the bridesmaid? Will he cruelly miss another decider? Will he finally break through for a last-gasp victory?
Who knows.
However, this is for sure: Ennis will fight it out until the very end, and the great majority of fans will call him a grub, boo him every time he goes near the ball, and bay for his blood.
But if you do all that to Ennis, before and during the game, if he gives it back to you after he triumphs, take your medicine and suck it up, Princess.
Doogs
Guest
True. I am not fond of the word "grub". It is a bit extreme. Pest is the perfect word for Ennis. I really liked your article. I agree, the game does need more personalities. Ennis does bring something to the game, but I don't like the way he goes about it. You can have personality without being a pest. It's more honorable. Thanks for the article Tim. I don't always agree with you, and you are heavily biased to the Raiders (which gets old) , but I think you take it pretty well when the readers stick it to you here. Good on ya mate
Doogs
Guest
I read in the paper the sports Journo Robert Craddock said "back when Twitter was something birds did in trees". I quite liked that.
KillaKanga
Roar Rookie
Does that we refer to him as ..... Michael Ennis P.I.? If so, he'll have to grow a 'stache and get a clapped out 308GTB/GTS ?
Tim Gore
Expert
Denis Carnahan corrected me today. Ennis isn't a grub. He doesn't squirrel grip or such. He's a pest. He's a professional irritator.
Tim Gore
Expert
Great bandwagon article Disco Stoo
Ivoreel
Guest
Tim Michael will stay a grub, he will more likely cost the Sharks a win with his constant fouls. That is shown up in your article with his brain explosions in critical times in games. We will see how next week pans out.
madmax
Guest
Grub Ennis will never be regarded as a great like Sterlo, Ennis never was or ever will come close to being the player Sterlo was, Ennis never has & never will possess the intelligence or knowledge of the game that Sterlo does, Ennis will never be remembered for his play rather the grub that he was throughout his career......& I don't like Sterlo much lolol. In any case I don't think Sterlo has anything to worry about with regards to Ennis outing him from Fox.
KillaKanga
Roar Rookie
Hiya Tim, Being a Parra-tragic forever(56 yrs and counting) I used to HATE Ennis with an unbridled passion until he joined the Sharks. It was around that time I realised how much work, dedication and application he put into being a errrr grub...I have always hated that term even when hung on Ennis. The subtle little nuances he used to get right up the nose of the opposition was sometimes like watching a perfectly choreographed dance move. It is a pity he is retiring because I had such a relatively short period to really enjoy the professional approach to he applied to his work ethic. I have even started watching old Hindy vs Ennis Championship Belt matches on youtube just to see more of his skill and I'm eagerly looking forward to seeing him "irritate" a few Sea Eagles on Fri. psssst.....don't tell anyone this...but I secretly stopped hating the Dogs around the same time ? BTW about "Ricky’s words of indignation were mostly there to wind his own supporters up" ..That's a BINGO
Farqueue
Guest
Show some class when you win. By all means say what you like before the game, that takes courage to back it up. When the game is won and there is no way the opponent can respond, well that is distasteful in my book. I thought qid let themselves down in origin 2 this year when they carried on when they couldn't lose...then got upset when nsw didn't stand and listen to how humble they are at the speech. If my dragons ever become good enough to win something again I hope they show more class than Ennis and the qld origin team.
Edward Kelly
Roar Guru
Agree with Raiders fans being a bit 'unco' with the whole viking clap, mind you the second one was a complete cluster, with the over loud ground PA and the players not knowing to wait but coming out early. Get it together Raiders.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I like Ennis. He is a very good player, a character on the field and eloquent off it so why the hate? Tim is right, if you're upset, suck it up.
Tim Gore
Expert
VH, it is so nice when someone gets what you are saying... The Barry and PNG888 seem to think I'm hacking on him...
Tim Gore
Expert
These things are just facts. Nothing more. Are you saying some are wrong? I defend and praise Ennis significantly throughout this piece. Those are the facts that I say are behind his motivation.
SewingMachine
Guest
Mick Ennis is a great player..at this moment he is in the 3 best hookers in the world..only behind Smith and Hodgson.. Ennis is not grub..he doesn't injure players with dirty tactics..like a Les Boyd..he just messes with the mind..and a maestro he is.. I think he's great and wish he wasn't retiring.. All this hogwash about the Viking Clap is just overblown crap.. Check out the Raiders forum..half of them wonder what all the fuss is about..
Squidward
Roar Rookie
It's good having the current players commenting. Good to have another perspective
Tim Gore
Expert
Even we have complete and utter horrors in our ranks. I'm sorry that happened to her. That's really bad. Sincerest apologies from the civilised Raiders fans.
Dingo McNumbat
Roar Rookie
Personally the one rule I like to see people living by is not kicking people when they're down... going up to a stand of fans of a team you've just beaten and mocking their way of showing support is basically just that. Saturday was a great game though. I don't really care about Ennis and his antics because everyone knows he's a pest.
Tim Gore
Expert
Still hasn't come through?
Tim Gore
Expert
Con, I actually love current players coming on. And while I didn't like what Gallen said, I love hearing players give their actual opinions. But I'm in the media. And I get your point.
Don
Roar Rookie
If a Dally M is the measure of being the best in the game in your position - Ennis won Hooker of the year in 2009. So he was best in the game. "He has made his name as a menace and a grub." I think he has earned higher visibility for that along with his ability. It becomes a issue where we hate his antics as opposition fans but we can't deny his skill as a player. As a QLDer I'm the same with Gallen. What gives makes him unique as a "personality" is the contradiction between his often dislikeable antics onfield and his calm demeanour and articulate persona off field.