Sharks hooker Michael Ennis has made a decision to bring down the curtain on his illustrious career and has announced he will retire from the Sharks and from the NRL at the end of the 2016 season.
A veteran of some 263 games for five different NRL clubs, Ennis retires at the peak of his powers, having helped guide the Sharks to the top spot on the 2016 NRL ladder after 20 rounds.
Ennis was joined by Sharks head coach Shane Flanagan and the club's Group CEO Lyall Gorman at a media conference today to make the announcement.
He has played every game for the Sharks this season, after missing just one match for the Cronulla club in 2015 due to State of Origin duties.
Ennis joined the Sharks prior to the start of the 2015 season, with his debut match coming against the Canberra Raiders at Southern Cross Group Stadium in round one.
His NRL debut came while playing for the Newcastle Knights in a round 20 match at Campbelltown Stadium against the Wests Tigers.
An outstanding competitor and inspirational leader, Ennis guided the Bulldogs to the Grand Final in 2014, only to miss the premiership decider as a result of an injury suffered in the qualifying finals match the week prior and was hooker and captain in 2012 in a 14-4 loss by the Bulldogs to the Melbourne Storm.
Michael Ennis Fact File
2015-2016: Sharks – 43 games (as of round 20)
2009-2014: Bulldogs – 136 games
2006-2008: Brisbane Broncos – 42 games
2005: St George Illawarra Dragons – 24 games
2003-2004: Newcastle Knights – 20 games
NSW State of Origin: 8 games
2009 Dally M Hooker of the Year
2015 Dally M Hooker of the Year
2015 Dally M Player of the Year Runner Up.