joe_s_magpies
New member
Menacing Bulldogs and NSW Origin hooker Michael Ennis could be the bolter in the NRL All Stars team to be announced on Friday despite his late addition to the shortlist last week.
Ennis narrowly missed making the original shortlist of 64 (four players from each club - two backs and two forawards) announced four weeks ago but was added last week when Canterbury team- mate Greg Eastwood was forced to withdraw with injury.
Despite having less exposure to the voting public who have been asked to select 16 players (one from each club) to join skipper Darren Lockyer and vice-captain Benji Marshall for the February 12 match, Ennis is polling well.
Voting closes at 11.59pm AEDT (10.59pm in Queensland) on Thursday (Jan 27) at http://www.nrl.com/allstars" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and coach Wayne Bennett will announce his team on Friday.
While Storm captain Cameron Smith is almost certain to fill the hooker's role, Ennis may find himself securing a bench spot for the match against the Indigenous All Stars at Skilled Park, Gold Coast.
To earn a spot, a player must first be the highest polling player in a position. Once a player from one club is placed in the team, no other player from that club can be chosen.
Ennis is up against Aiden Tolman, Ben Roberts and Bryson Goodwin for the Bulldogs spot in the team.
"It would be enormous," Ennis told NRL.com today. "While it is very disappointing for Greg, I am so grateful for the opportunity to be considered for selection.
"It was wonderful to watch last year and it is great for our game to turn on this event.
"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to get all those players together. Even with Origin you still don't get to play with someone like Benji Marshall; and while I was fortunate to play with Darren Lockyer for a short time (at the Broncos) I'd love to play with him again.
"It would be really humbling. It would be a wonderful week and something to look back on when my career is finished. To look at that jersey with my kids; it really would be something to be proud of."
Ennis had the most humbling experience of his life last week when he was reduced to tears by what he and his Bulldogs team-mates experienced in flood-ravaged Grantham (near Ipswish QLD).
"It didn't fully hit me until I got home to my wife and three children," said Ennis, who spoke to locals who had lost everything … family members, homes, all their possessions.
He said he wrote about his encounter in The Sunday Telegraph last weekend as a way of dealing with the life-changing experience.
In the article he said: "Since returning home I'm a chnaged man; I didn't want to leave. I drew so much power from these brave people and they made me realise I have to love and cherish life and all it has to offer.
"I will never forget all the brave people I met - and I hope no one else forgets them."
Overview of NRL All Stars voting:
- The first player to be chosen in the NRL All Stars team will be the player who scores the highest number of overall votes in a position.
- Once a player from one club is placed in the team, no other player from that club can be chosen.
- If a player withdraws from the team due to injury, he will be replaced by someone from the bench.
- The open bench spot will then be replaced by someone from the injured player’s club, with the new player having recorded the second highest number of votes from that club, either as a forward, back or utility, depending on the position needed for the bench.
- The Australian and New Zealand captains are automatically included in the team.
- At the end of Stage Two voting, the coach selects from shortlisted players still available, the two remaining players to complete the 20-man squad.
Less than 2000 tickets are available for the Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars to be played at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast on February 12, 2011.
Tickets are available through Ticketek outlets, on 132 849 or http://www.ticketek.com.au" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
New Zealand customers can call 0800 842 538 or +61 132 849.
What a joke if this dropkick makes the side. He is only there because Eastwood pulled out. If Pritchard was still there he would of made it instead. I hope Tolman makes it.
Ennis narrowly missed making the original shortlist of 64 (four players from each club - two backs and two forawards) announced four weeks ago but was added last week when Canterbury team- mate Greg Eastwood was forced to withdraw with injury.
Despite having less exposure to the voting public who have been asked to select 16 players (one from each club) to join skipper Darren Lockyer and vice-captain Benji Marshall for the February 12 match, Ennis is polling well.
Voting closes at 11.59pm AEDT (10.59pm in Queensland) on Thursday (Jan 27) at http://www.nrl.com/allstars" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and coach Wayne Bennett will announce his team on Friday.
While Storm captain Cameron Smith is almost certain to fill the hooker's role, Ennis may find himself securing a bench spot for the match against the Indigenous All Stars at Skilled Park, Gold Coast.
To earn a spot, a player must first be the highest polling player in a position. Once a player from one club is placed in the team, no other player from that club can be chosen.
Ennis is up against Aiden Tolman, Ben Roberts and Bryson Goodwin for the Bulldogs spot in the team.
"It would be enormous," Ennis told NRL.com today. "While it is very disappointing for Greg, I am so grateful for the opportunity to be considered for selection.
"It was wonderful to watch last year and it is great for our game to turn on this event.
"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to get all those players together. Even with Origin you still don't get to play with someone like Benji Marshall; and while I was fortunate to play with Darren Lockyer for a short time (at the Broncos) I'd love to play with him again.
"It would be really humbling. It would be a wonderful week and something to look back on when my career is finished. To look at that jersey with my kids; it really would be something to be proud of."
Ennis had the most humbling experience of his life last week when he was reduced to tears by what he and his Bulldogs team-mates experienced in flood-ravaged Grantham (near Ipswish QLD).
"It didn't fully hit me until I got home to my wife and three children," said Ennis, who spoke to locals who had lost everything … family members, homes, all their possessions.
He said he wrote about his encounter in The Sunday Telegraph last weekend as a way of dealing with the life-changing experience.
In the article he said: "Since returning home I'm a chnaged man; I didn't want to leave. I drew so much power from these brave people and they made me realise I have to love and cherish life and all it has to offer.
"I will never forget all the brave people I met - and I hope no one else forgets them."
Overview of NRL All Stars voting:
- The first player to be chosen in the NRL All Stars team will be the player who scores the highest number of overall votes in a position.
- Once a player from one club is placed in the team, no other player from that club can be chosen.
- If a player withdraws from the team due to injury, he will be replaced by someone from the bench.
- The open bench spot will then be replaced by someone from the injured player’s club, with the new player having recorded the second highest number of votes from that club, either as a forward, back or utility, depending on the position needed for the bench.
- The Australian and New Zealand captains are automatically included in the team.
- At the end of Stage Two voting, the coach selects from shortlisted players still available, the two remaining players to complete the 20-man squad.
Less than 2000 tickets are available for the Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars to be played at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast on February 12, 2011.
Tickets are available through Ticketek outlets, on 132 849 or http://www.ticketek.com.au" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
New Zealand customers can call 0800 842 538 or +61 132 849.
What a joke if this dropkick makes the side. He is only there because Eastwood pulled out. If Pritchard was still there he would of made it instead. I hope Tolman makes it.
