Off the field Ennis is known as a family man and all-round good bloke which has those who know him best praying the retiring hooker receives the ultimate send-off with a grand final win.

But first his Sharks must overcome the Cowboys in tonight’s grand-final qualifier at Allianz Stadium.

No mean feat by any standards, but with a maiden premiership within reach, the boys from The Shire can dare to dream.

And it is Ennis who can be attributed with helping the club's revival.

At 30 and off contract at Canterbury, some thought Ennis’ NRL career was over until Sharks coach Shane Flanagan offered the former NSW rake a lifeline.

And he has not disappointed as one of Cronulla’s best over the past two seasons.  

“When I first brought him in they said he was washed up and probably at the end of his career, but he’s played 50 games in two years and has been a quality player for us,” Flanagan said.

“I knew he was a competitor and I knew the style they were playing at the Bulldogs didn’t suit Michael to a tee.

“I knew that he liked to come out and play out of dummy half a little bit and he didn’t get the opportunity because the Bulldogs were playing off their forwards.

“He’s developed and really enjoyed his football and if every player is enjoying themselves and are allowed to play then you will get the best out of them.”

The 32-year-old journeyman has previously missed two grand finals through injury at the Broncos and Bulldogs respectively with Brisbane claiming the title in 2006 and Canterbury falling to the Rabbitohs two years ago.

And despite tonight potentially drawing a close to Ennis' 271-game NRL career, Flanagan said there had been no talk of tonight’s match being Ennis’ last.

“Michael hasn’t approached it as that,” he said.  

“It might be in the back of his mind that it could be his last week but that’s a negative thought and he has been really positive about his approach to games.”