In a major move for the St. George Illawarra Dragons, the club has announced Michael Ennis as their new assistant coach.
Ennis shares a close relationship with head coach Shane Flanagan, having played under him during his final two NRL seasons at the Cronulla Sharks.
“I’m really excited to be joining the Dragons. It’s a proud club with a rich history, and I’m grateful to Shane and the organisation for the opportunity to be part of the coaching staff,” Ennis said.
“I really enjoyed working with Shane during my playing days at Cronulla, and I’m looking forward to linking up with him again.” Ennis continued.
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Flanagan expressed his excitement at being able to reunite with his former number 9, who played a critical role alongside the head coach in leading the Sharks to their first NRL premiership in 50 years with their 2016 Grand Final victory over the Melbourne Storm.
He described Ennis as a key addition to a reshaped coaching staff which follows a disappointing 15th-place finish for the Dragons in the 2025 NRL season.
While many fans know Ennis from his post-retirement work in broadcasting with Fox Sports, he has also built a strong coaching resume.
He has worked with the Raiders, Eels, Sharks, and most recently the Sea Eagles since retiring from playing.
Ennis made 273 NRL appearances in a career that began with his debut for the Newcastle Knights in 2003 where he burst onto the scene as a feisty hooker.
He went on to play for the Dragons, Broncos, Bulldogs, and Sharks over 14 seasons as well as represent NSW in State of Origin.
As a former number 9 with representative level games and multiple finals campaigns under his belt, Ennis brings a wealth of experience to the Dragons’ coaching ranks.
After a disappointing 2025 season, the Dragons have been keen to implement changes aimed at returning the club to finals contention with some well documented personnel turnover.
The appointment of Ennis signals another step in Flanagan’s plan to rebuild the squad and push the club back into premiership contention.