Las Vegas: Assistant coach Mick Ennis is being hailed as St George Illawarra’s best off-season recruit after being tasked with getting the best out of a new-look attack, including rookie halfback Daniel Atkinson.
Ennis last season left Manly, where he had been sounded out about replacing head coach Anthony Seibold, for the chance to re-unite with Shane Flanagan at the Red V – and has made an immediate impression on the players.
Damien Cook, who played with Ennis at the Bulldogs more than a decade ago, said the 41-year-old had introduced an upbeat attacking style they probably would not have been fit enough to execute last year.
“This has got nothing to do with [former attack coach] Ryan Carr, but our attack needing changing up, and I now feel we’re more of a threat right across the field,” Cook said. “Mick has been great for us, especially for me.
“We’re in better shape this year, we’ve trained harder, which means we can play a different style of footy. And we know our style of footy. The way Mick explains things, he’s really clear, and his footy IQ is unbelievable.”
Five-eighth Kyle Flanagan echoed Cook’s praise. “Mick lets us know exactly what he wants from us in a game,” he said. “I’m loving working with him so far.”
Coach Flanagan added: “I had Mick at the Sharks, he knows my style and how I want to get things across, and he’s doing a good job – he’s got plenty of energy, and the boys respect him.”
Ennis, who has spent time on the staff of the Raiders, Parramatta and Manly, harbours ambitions of one day becoming a head coach. This masthead was given full access to the Dragons on Monday, Las Vegas time, and watched Ennis address the playmakers then deliver an inspirational speech to the remainder of the playing group.
Ennis said Atkinson’s key strengths were his excellent running game and strong right boot, and revealed he would be given a licence to roam. The Dragons would also make a point of being more direct with their attack, rather than venturing wide too early in the set, Ennis said.
“One thing that impressed me over the summer was ‘Atko’s’ long kicking game, and I’m keen to see him play both sides of the field – he’ll definitely get the chance to roam,” Ennis said.
Mick Ennis at St George Illawarra training in Las Vegas on Monday.Credit: Getty Images
“Defensively he’ll be locked into one edge, but he’ll have that freedom in attack.
“Where the game is at the moment, and based on the clubs I’ve worked at, I think of guys like Daly Cherry-Evans, Jack Wighton when he was at Canberra, they have a great feel for moments – and if you lock them into one side of the field, you take away that freedom and ability to chase those moments.
“Even Luke Brooks at Manly last year, he had the chance to come across field and be that second layer of attack on the right. I’m keen to see Atko and ‘Flanno’ play on both sides.”
Atkinson spent most of last year coming off the bench for Cronulla, and is sure to benefit from playing regular football. Ennis said the experience of co-captain Clint Gutherson would also help Atkinson in key moments, like Tom Trbojevic used to do with Brooks at the Sea Eagles.
The Dragons will attempt to ensure the Bulldogs start every set deep in their own half.
Valentine Holmes has also been shifted from left to right centre, which will see him go head to head with Stephen Crichton, the Bulldogs skipper who also switched sides of the park over the summer.
“Canterbury have done some wonderful things the past few years,” Ennis said. “They deserve the praise, but our boys have had an excellent summer, they’ve set themselves up to play well this weekend.”
The hype surrounding Canterbury ahead of the season opener has not gone unnoticed by the Dragons.
“It’s frustrating [hearing the constant praise],” back-rower Jaydn Su’A said. “They’re a quality team and have earned that, but I keep hearing the word ‘upset’. It won’t be an upset to us. We fully believe in each other and our systems, and we know if we turn up, we can beat anyone on our day.”
As expected, the Bulldogs have named Matt Burton in the halves alongside Lachie Galvin, with Marcelo Montoya and Jacob Kiraz on the wing after skipping the trials.
Dylan Brown will make his Newcastle debut in the famous No.7 jersey, while Reed Mahoney will start in his first game for North Queensland. Back-up hooker Soni Luke is also set to make his club debut after being named on the bench.
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