Canterbury skipper Michael Ennis says he doesn’t see it as his personal challenge to take down rival captain and No.9 Cameron Smith – the man he rates the best hooker in the NRL – in Sunday’s grand final.
Ennis and Melbourne dummy-half Smith will go head to head at ANZ Stadium in a match-up which will go a long way to determining which team hoists the premiership trophy.
But despite lavishing praise on the Queensland and Test rake, Ennis said he could not afford to get caught up in personal duels.
“If you go into a game like this trying to win personal battles, you’re letting your teammates down,” Ennis said.
“I’ve got a role to play in this side and I don’t think Cameron Smith or your Cooper Cronks or your Billy Slaters are blokes that can be nullified individually.
“… coming up against Cameron Smith, obviously he’s the benchmark in our position and it’s always a good challenge.
“I respect Cameron very highly, he’s a terrific player and a terrific fellow, so I know I’ll need to be at my best in my side and not worry about what Cameron’s going to do for Melbourne.”
“It’s about what I’ve focused on all year in terms of playing my role in the side and doing that to the best of my ability and certainly nothing will be changing in that regard just because it is a grand final.”
Several hundred fans decked out in blue and white were at Belmore Sports Ground for the Bulldogs’ grand final fan day on Tuesday, with the players to take part in a meet and greet following training.