Michael Ennis, the former head coach of the St George Illawarra Dragons, has expressed a strong desire to take on the coaching role for the NSW Blues.
Ennis, who secured a premiership with the Cronulla Sharks in 2016, played a significant role in state representation, appearing in eight matches for the Blues between 2009 and 2015. His playing career includes 274 NRL games, during which he donned jerseys for teams such as the Newcastle Knights, St George Illawarra Dragons, Brisbane Broncos, Canterbury Bulldogs, and Cronulla Sharks.
In recent seasons, he has started his coaching journey, taking on specialist roles with several clubs, including the Canberra Raiders, Cronulla Sharks, and Parramatta Eels. He joined the Manly Sea Eagles in 2023 and later signed on as an assistant coach with the Dragons for 2026.
However, his stint with the Dragons was short-lived, as he was released on April 21 following the dismissal of head coach Shane Flanagan after a rough start to the season.
Currently, Ennis is involved in media work, distancing himself from NRL clubs, but he revealed his aspirations on SEN Radio. "But when Laurie has decided he has had enough it's definitely something I would like to do. I love that arena, I love what comes with it, the expectation and the pressure. The level of the players. I would love to do it at the right time," he stated.
Many have hailed Ennis as a potential future head coach. While his performance as an assistant and consultant has garnered positive attention, it remains uncertain if he envisions a head coaching role for himself in the future.
Ennis concluded his playing career after the 2016 grand final.