The opportunity to develop his skills as a specialist coach with some of the NRL’s best players was enough for former two-time premiership winning hooker Mick Ennis to join the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles coaching staff in 2024.
Ennis played 274 first grade games across 14 seasons, winning premierships at Brisbane in 2006 and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in 2016.
Following his retirement, Ennis has worked on the coaching staff at Cronulla, Canberra, and Parramatta, and has been an expert commentator for Fox League.
Manly Coach Anthony Seibold said Ennis brings plenty of experience and knowledge with him to the Sea Eagles.
“Michael had a fantastic career as a player and is a premiership winner. He was a real leader at a couple of clubs he played at and also represented NSW,’’ Seibold said.
“The thing I love about Michael since his retirement from playing is that he has worked for a couple of clubs in coaching positions.
“He has also done a lot of media, particularly around the X’s and O’s on rugby league, so he brings a lot of detail with what he does.
Michael will be helping with our attack in 2024 and from a positions point of view, he will be working with our halves and our hookers.
Manly Coach Anthony Seibold on Michael Ennis
“We feel as though he can help them improve individually but also us collectively from an attacking point of view, helping Steven Hales (Attack Coach) and also Mick Kulen (Football Analyst) in that space.
Ennis said he was very happy to be joining the Sea Eagles coaching staff.
“To be working with some of the game’s finest players in Daly Cherry-Evans and Tom Trbojevic, along with the next generation, is exciting for me’’ Ennis said.
“I’m also really looking forward to working with (new five-eighth) Luke Brooks. A change of scenery will be good for Luke. It will provide him an opportunity to play his best footy, which we saw at different stages of this year. He is a very good player when he is playing with confidence.
“One of the other players I am looking forward to working with is (hooker) Lachlan Croker. I have just admired him from afar with his work ethic and his toughness. I feel there are areas of his game that I can help him with.
“I’ve been highly impressed with ‘Seibs’ in the early conversations with him and his staff. There is a great coaching staff there and I’m very happy to be joining them and sharing some of my experiences in the game.”
