Cameron Smith expects retiring Michael Ennis to be at 'scheming best'

The Storm won through to the last game of the season with a 14-12 win over Canberra Raiders at AAMI Park in front of 28,161 supporters on Saturday night, with Smith's second half penalty goal proving the difference in a gritty, dogged contest.

Cronulla Sharks await the Storm in next Sunday night's grand final at ANZ Stadium, with Ennis to play his last NRL game before retirement.

Smith and Ennis have had many run-ins throughout their career including in the 2014 elimination final at AAMI Park when Ennis rubbed Smith's head cynically after Smith dropped the ball.

Smith said the Sharks would again prove a difficult opponent especially with the club having never won a premiership from three grand finals and hooker Ennis playing his final game.

The Storm beat the Sharks at AAMI Park in the final round of the season but lost to them 14-6 in Sydney in round four.

"He'll be at his scheming best, no doubt," Smith said of Ennis.

"Mick's a competitor. He's out there to do his best to win.

"We faced before him in the 2012 grand final when he was at the [Canterbury] Bulldogs - he was at his best in that game as well - nothing is going to change with Mick.

"He's had a great season. I'm sure his teammates want to send him out a winner but we aren't focusing on any individuals or special occasions.

"Our focus will be on our team and how we need to play."

Smith will go toe-to-toe again with NSW foe Paul Gallen, but is relishing the opportunity of meeting in the NRL showpiece.

Smith has claimed victory in three of the five meetings between the pair this year, two of them with Queensland in the Maroons' triumph, and the third in a round 26 wipeout in Melbourne.

He also has a supreme advantage in grand finals, featuring in five for three wins, while Gallen will be making his first appearance on the first Sunday in October.

But Smith couldn't be any happier for his interstate counterpart.

"I always enjoy playing against Gal. I see him a bit because we play in the middle," he said.

"I'm pleased for Gal. He has waited a long time for this. He works hard every time he pulls on the jersey. He has given a lot to the Cronulla club over many years."

While veterans like Smith and Cooper Cronk will be making a return to the grand final after playing in the club's 2012 premiership, many of the side will be going into their first.

"It feels really good to be in the last game of the year," Smith said.

"I feel really pleased for the young guys in the squad who haven't experienced the grand final before, there are a few of them in there, so I'm excited for them because of the work they have put in this year.

"We had some tough times with injuries and all that - personally I'm grateful to have the opportunity to be in another grand final and you could see on the faces of all the Melbourne players at the end how happy they are.

"We can enjoy it now but have to change our focus pretty quickly as we play against a good side next week."

The Storm don't appear to have any major injury concerns going onto grand final week.

Fullback Cameron Munster needed a couple of staples in his head to close a cut but played out the game, forward Tim Glasby appeared to have an arm or hand injury which received treatment post game while lock Dale Finucane played 53 minutes after overcoming an ankle injury from the qualifying final.

With AAP