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Michael Ennis has had a front-row seat to the greatest NRL forwards of the modern-era:
Shane Webcke, Petero Civoniceva, James Graham, Andrew Fifita, Paul Gallen, Jason Ryles and Luke Bailey.
But in a stunning appraisal of
Parramatta’s Junior Paulo, Ennis has declared the Eels heavyweight boasts the greatest overall package of skills from a big man that he’s ever seen.
Ennis reaffirmed his view by adding that the 118kg front-rower “has a 20-metre cut-out pass that is as good as any half in the competition.”
In his first season working as a consultant on the Parramatta coaching staff, Ennis says he’s been blown away by Paulo’s array of artillery.
“I always knew Junior Paulo was a good player,’’ Ennis said.
“The guys down in Canberra (Paulo’s former club) loved him. You talk to anyone down there and they all loved him.
“But to actually see his quality first-hand, it’s incredible.
“He’s got the perfect balance of knowing when to play tough – and when to use his skill.’’
Ennis has been blown away by the finesse shown by Junior Paulo.Picture: NRL PHOTOS
Ennis, who over the course of 273 first-grade games played for the Knights, Dragons, Broncos, Bulldogs and Sharks, was mindful of not wanting to diminish the impact of his highly-revered teammates.
“They all brought something extremely special, unique in changing the game and were a constant presence in the dressing room,’’ Ennis said.
But Ennis said that what makes Paulo different, was that he has nailed the art of using both his power and finesse.
Ennis: The Top of the Props
Shane Webcke:
“When Webcke walked into the dressing room you had to pinch yourself that you were playing him. He raised the bar of everyone who played with him.
Petero Civoniceva:
“A man with great presence, but like Webcke, it was the standards and expectations Petero set every week which made him special. There was just never a bad performance.’’
Andrew Fiifta:
“Andrew has great unpredictability. He has the physique to bend the defensive line running straight and hard, but then he also had the footwork to skip across the field to make sure the defensive line was never comfortable. That is everything every coach wants in a front-rower.
James Graham:
“James is one of my favourites. You’d walk past James in the change rooms and there was this intensity about him, that you just knew he wasn’t going to let his teammates down. He never had a day off and it was his skill-set that changed the way modern props play the game.’’
Jason Ryles:
“Ryles was a really big body with awesome leg speed and a tremendous aerobic capacity. Like all the good ones, he was a real competitor.’’
Luke Bailey:
“Luke brought a real intimidation to his game and at his best, his go-forward was relentless.’’
Paul Gallen:
“Playing with Gal was like I would imagine playing with your Dad; the one person most boys can rely on through thick and thin. Nothing was ever too hard for Gal.’’
“There’s times at training where he’ll go to the defensive line and his first option is to plough through the defence,’’ Ennis said.
“But then, he also has the ability, in a split second, to throw a 20-metre cut-out pass on a dime as good as any half in the competition.
“For a guy that is 118kg, to be able to do what he does, I’ve been blown away by it.
“I haven’t seen anyone with that overall package.’’
Asked if he understood the significance of his praise for Paulo, considering the great forwards that he played with, Ennis nodded knowingly.
“Andrew Fifita won us a competition at Cronulla. He brought great unpredictability, an offload, power and size,’’ Ennis said.
“James Graham revolutionised in many ways, the way ball-playing forwards play the game today. Shane Webcke and Petero (Civoniceva) were men of the highest standards, who dragged their teammates with them.
“But Junior’s ability to carry the ball strong when he has to and get a quick play-the-ball, his ability to bring his teammates in the pack onto a pass, and his offload is as good as any in the competition.
Junior Paulo (C) has been a big part of NSW’s recent Origin dominance. Picture: Grant Trouville/NRL IMAGES
“His ability to make decisions under pressure and under fatigue are as good as I’ve ever seen.’’
Paulo was recently appointed co-captain of the Eels alongside Clint Gutherson.
Ennis said he saw clearly why Parramatta coach Brad Arthur made the decision to promote the NSW State of Origin forward into the leadership role.
That’s something that has surprised me as an outsider, he’s such a humble guy,’’ Ennis said.
“He’s a big man with all the artillery, yet he’s so humble and then he’s got this incredible presence, when he talks they all listen.
“The way guys follow him in the forward pack is top level.’’
