Michael Ennis in junior Australian team

[antonius]

Just heard that Ennis is the only Knights junior player selected in the Junior Australian team. On this seasons form you can say that is just reward for a fine season, in a somewhat under achieving side.

 

[Bring it home Knights]

How old is he?

 

[antonius]

I think he's 18.

 

[Bring it home Knights]

well that's good then. Buderus will always be the knights hooker untill he retires IMO. That mean Ennis will be 23-25 when given a go. Hopefully we can keep him until then.

 

[Spike]

I can't see Ennis playing second fiddle to Buderus for about the next five years. The only alternative is if he moves to 5/8 where he is still very effective. I've got big wraps on the kid and making the junior Australian team is only going to make him a better player for the experience. He'll be at least playing off the bench in first grade next year.

 

[Special K]

Did you guys happen to see who the captain and 5/8 is?

 

[Doctor]

If I had the rugby league talent that Ennis has, I'd be wanting a much better deal than that - fancy waiting around 5 years for a spot at Hooker when you can just adapt your game to a different position?

Ennis is far too good to have waiting around in lower grades masticating on peanuts while we sort out where he'll go. He'll be in first grade next season, off the bench for a few games and perhaps given a go if injuries/representative honours drain the backline a bit.

There will be tough competition for bench spots next year - guys like Lowrie, Price, Tanner, Newton, Woolnough, Quigley etc will all need to maintain their form to try and keep their regular spots on the bench. Thankfully for them (but not for the side) injuries have meant that most of these players mentioned are either on the bench, in the starting side, or else part of the injury list.

 

[roopy]

I think Ennis will become a gamebreaker, or a supersub, or whatever else a player like Wing or Preston Campbell or Brad Drew when he was at Parra can be called.

He can play Hooker, he can play 5/8, he can play half at a pinch or he can just sub anywhere in the backline if it comes to that.

Ennis is a bit short on stamina at this stage in his career, which might come as he matures, but he can pluck a try from anywhere and turn a game in an instant I reckon.

The thing against that is that Hagan never coaches that way and Johns likes to be the gamebreaker when forwards get tired, but I think they have to find a way to sit him on the bench and bring him on when the game is ripe for plucking.

 

[next knights half]

i had a look at his profile and noticed that he is of contract at the end of next season do you think he will resighn and in my oppinion if he is as good as you all say and he doesnot get a go a first grade i would leave

 

[roopy]

i had a look at his profile and noticed that he is of contract at the end of next season do you think he will resighn and in my oppinion if he is as good as you all say and he doesnot get a go a first grade i would leave

I only have this on heresay from a guy who was one of his first coaches, but Mick's father is an ex firstgrade player from Manly and has always 'managed' young Mick really well. Mick started playing for Dora Creek, but as soon as he showed a bit of talent his father made sure he went to Valentine for the rest of his junior time and came to the attention of the Knights as early as possible.
His father has made sure that Mick has always done the right training and been at the right place at the right time to advance his career.

I think it is obvious that the Knights will have to prove to Mick that he has a big future at the club, or he will go where he does have a big future.

 

[aqua_duck]

Did you guys happen to see who the captain and 5/8 is?

Greg Bird?

 

[roopy]

MEDIA RELEASE Monday, 29 September 2003 The Chairman of the Australian Rugby League, Mr Colin Love, has announced that the following players have been named in the 2003 Junior Kangaroos:
Steve Turner Penrith Panthers
Nick Parfitt Brisbane Broncos
Ashley Alberts Brisbane Broncos
Lopini Paea Sydney Roosters
Ben Creagh St George Illawarra
Greg Bird Cronulla Sharks (c)
Steve Goodhew Nth Queensland Cowboys
Michael Weyman Canberra Raiders
Matt Ballin Brisbane Broncos
Ashton Sims St George Illawarra
Trevor Thurling Canterbury Bulldogs
Ryan Hoffman Melbourne Storm
Liam Fulton Western Suburbs
Sam Thaiday Brisbane Broncos
Antonio Kaufusi Brisbane Nths/ Melb Storm
Neville Costigan Brisbane Broncos
Terry Campese Canberra Raiders
Michael Ennis Newcastle Knights
Coach : Dennis Moore, Queensland
Manager: John Thomas, Newcastle Knights
Referee: Adam Neale (for the Darwin game, PNG game tbc)

The Junior Kangaroos will play Papua New Guinea in Darwin on Wednesday October 15 & Port Moresby on Sunday 19 October. The Junior Kangaroos are under 19s on January 1, 2003 and will be playing against some of PNG's best open-age players. Further enquiries: John Brady 9339 8524, 0408 881 222 or Polly McCardell 9339 8555, 0407 908 746

 

[Doctor]

the Knights will have to prove to Mick that he has a big future at the club, or he will go where he does have a big future.

That sounds familiar - all our second-choice halfbacks/5-8ths move on - Kimmorley, Holbrook, (mental blank), (mental blank), etc.

It is always going to be a problem convincing good players that if they would just wait around a bit they will be a first-grade regular next year - trouble is that these players just want to play first grade and if another club wants to give them that opportunity then many will take it.

The Knights will be kidding themselves if they think they'll be able to retain promising juniors with little or no money - but I'm sure they're used to it by now with all the players that have left over the years and made it with other clubs.

 

[Danish Moo Cow]

Good on Ennis. Looks like Bring It has a new junior to prop up since he's got a mention... And well done to Greg Bird! Another one we've missed out on! That Ashton Sims will be a star in a few years too.

Is anyone else just a tiny bit worried that we only have one junior in these teams these days?

 

[roopy]

Is anyone else just a tiny bit worried that we only have one junior in these teams these days?

I can't understand junior selection these days. The NSW team lost to Qld, which explians why so many Qld kids made the side, but not even one Parra kid is odd, they had about 5 in the NSW team.

Newcastle had three in the NSW team, Ennis at hooker, Duffy at halfback and Brown on the bench, but how Dane Tilse missed out is a mystery.

 

[Danish Moo Cow]

Didn't notice the no Eels. Very strange since they won just about every minor premiership outside the first graders.

 

[aqua_duck]

I'm surprised that Ashley Graham didn't make the team considering he's got abit of 1st grade experience. Also was Benji Marshall eligible?

 

[Danish Moo Cow]

I don't think Benji Marshall would've played too much Juniors. He's with Wests juniors, but he's still in school in Queensland and has just been plucked for those few first grade games. Not to mention its unclear whether he's eligible for Australia or New Zealand in the first place.

 

[Big Tim]

Did you guys happen to see who the captain and 5/8 is?

We did notice that. So what? Where did he play in 2001 buddy. Why hype up a player that we produced and Anderson offered 40k a year to. He also made rep sides when he was with us. So whats the big deal?

 

[Danish Moo Cow]

Probably because we lost him to them. I don't think the Sharks would be saying too much about player selections today after the developments of players axed yesterday.

LOL!

Who is running the joint there these days?