Michael Ennis

Michael takes over from Andrew Ryan as Bulldogs captain in 2012, his fourth season with the Bulldogs. Held in the highest of esteem by all those who know him for his competitive nature, his attention to detail, and his easy going approach off the field, he’s also recently come on board as an ambassador for the Save Our Sons charity.

Michael Ennis joined the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs prior to the start of the 2009 NRL season following stints at the Newcastle Knights, St. George-Illawarra Dragons and the Brisbane Broncos.

His switch to the Bulldogs – where he has played 46 of his career 132 matches in Blue & White – has been a fruitful one, seeing him named the Dally M hooker of the year at the conclusion of his first season with the Club while also locking down the NSW Origin hooking berth for four straight games over the course of 2009-10.

Known throughout the Rugby League world as a fierce competitor, Ennis started his career at the Newcastle Knights, making his NRL debut against the Wests Tigers in round 20 of the 2003 season. He would go on to play 20 matches for the club, before switching to the Dragons for 2005.

After one year and 24 matches in Red & White, Ennis agreed to join the Brisbane Broncos, where he spent three seasons and 42 games over 2006-08.

His first season at the Broncos was cut short by a knee injury suffered early in the season, which required a full knee reconstruction. It saw Ennis miss the remainder of the season, and subsequently, the Broncos premiership win.

In 2007, Ennis returned to the NRL and was immediately locked in a battle with Shaun Berrigan for the hooking role. After spending time on the interchange bench, he was switched to halfback by coach Wayne Bennett mid-season, a position he retained for a large chunk of the second half of that season.

2008 saw Ennis reach the best form of his career to that point. Despite stiff competition from new recruit PJ Marsh, Ennis cemented the starting hooker’s role and guided the Broncos to some impressive victories. Later in the season, with the club facing salary cap pressure, Ennis tested his worth on the open market and would eventually find a home at the Bulldogs – alongside then-Broncos team-mates David Stagg, Greg Eastwood and Ben Hannant – significantly boosting the Bulldogs roster for 2009.

Away from Rugby League, Ennis’ time is taken up largely looking after his quickly expanding family. Ennis and wife Simone have three children under four – Jack, Koby Fox and Randy Wolfe.

Favourite holiday destination? Queensland
Favourite food? Steak
Player you most admire?
Favourite sportsman (outside rugby league)? Roger Federer
Funniest team-mate? Corey Payne
Messiest team-mate? Josh Reynolds
Favourite TV show? Any sport
Biggest influence on your career? Hard to narrow it down to one person
Charity you support? Camp Quality & Save Our Sons
Are you an ambassador for any community groups? Camp Quality and Save Our Sons