He came to the Bulldogs as part of a series of sweeping changes, but departing skipper Michael Ennis believes Canterbury have finally developed a roster to build the club around.
Ennis came to the club in 2009 alongside Josh Morris, Brett Kimmorley, David Stagg, Greg Eastwood, Ben Hannant, Michael Hodgson and Bryson Goodwin.
Only Ennis, Morris and Eastwood – who has since left and returned – remain at Canterbury from the eight recruits six years ago, but Ennis believes the club has developed and retained a core group of players that could ensure continued success under the Des Hasler regime.
“There was a lot of change when I first came,” Ennis said.
“I think there were six or seven blokes that came in one pre-season that were regular first graders. Since then we’ve seen some change but over the last few years there’s a real stability and the playing group have been together for a fair while. Other than myself leaving, they are going to be together for a while. I think the club is in good shape and there’s no doubt they’ll continue to be super competitive over the coming seasons as well.”
The 30-year-old has seen quite a bit during his time at his fourth NRL club.
There’s been a change of leadership in the front office and on the coaching staff, but it’s the emergence of some of the club’s young brigade which has Ennis hoping he leaves the club in a lot better shape than when he arrived.
“I’d like to hope so,” Ennis said.
“I came on board not long after Todd Greenberg came. He obviously did a tremendous job, now Raelene [Castle] has obviously come on board and Todd’s gone to the NRL and achieving great things there. Raelene as the first female CEO of an NRL club is doing great things here. I’ve seen the Belmore facility built and we’re back to where the Dogs were built.
“I’ve seen a coach like Des Hasler come here, blokes like Josh Jackson and [Dale] Finucane all starting to represent. Tim Lafai, I’ve seen him come through the system and Moses Mbye. I remember young Joshy Reynolds as a young kid playing 20’s and talking to him on the phone when he broke his leg and talking to him about staying positive. To go and see him play State of Origin this year was awesome. Trent’s the same. It’s been a great time … it’s been a wonderful journey at this club, something I’m really proud of.”
Given the role he played in their development, there were few prouder than Ennis seeing Trent Hodkinson and Josh Reynolds standing side by side in NSW colours earlier this year.
“It was pretty emotional to be honest,” Ennis said.
“I remember sitting on the lounge and it was a pretty good feeling seeing two of your mates, knowing what they’ve been through, to see them standing their together achieving something together was a pretty good moment.”
Ennis believes the criticism of Hodkinson during the club’s four-game losing streak was unfair.
“To try and get yourself into the game when we were having 18 sets in a whole game, we were just defending the whole time and people were asking ‘what’s going on here, why aren’t they attacking and putting on points'?” Ennis said.
“But they didn’t have the football, and all of a sudden the other night Trent steers us around the way he did on the back of 34 sets and everyone says he’s back to himself. Well he’s not, he’s always consistent … I thought he was terrific the other night, I thought it was just the game he needed to be honest.”
