Sharks hopeful on Ennis ‘shoulder charge’

Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan isn’t sweating on Michael Ennis missing their NRL qualifying final against Canberra after his suspect hit on Melbourne five-eighth Blake Green.

The retiring hooker is likely to come under the gaze of the NRL match review committee after taking out Green in the lead-up to Cheyse Blair’s try in the Storm’s 26-6 victory at AAMI Park.

Ennis floored Green with a marginally late shoulder charge after he’d got the pass away.

Green stayed down for a few minutes and was attended to by Storm medical staff but recovered to play out the match.

A grade one shoulder charge equates to a two-game suspension, meaning Ennis would miss at least their week one clash with the Raiders.

Flanagan said he’d spoken to the 32-year-old and believed Ennis would be in the clear which would be a huge boost for the Sharks given his form and experience.

“Michael seemed to think that he had his arm down and that he put pressure on the bloke and he didn’t hit him in the head so we’ll leave that to the match review committee,” Flanagan said.

Meanwhile, the Sharks will already be without backrower Joseph Paulo, who suffered medial ligament damage in the first half.

Paulo’s teammate Jack Bird fell on Paulo’s knee as they went to ground in the first half and although he had it heavily strapped, he was unable to continue.

“Early stages is that it’s his MCL so a couple of weeks hopefully,” Flanagan said.

Chris Heighington, who left the field with a head knock, is expected to be cleared to play.

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