Sharks legend Michael Ennis still remembers the whispers he heard around the Shire a decade ago about a couple of brothers coming through the system, and it\u2019s why he\u2019s tipping Blayke Brailey to turn the game on its head when he makes his Origin debut.<\/p>\n
Ennis was at Accor Stadium on Monday morning \u2013 the venue for Wednesday\u2019s Origin opener \u2013 with the former NSW Blues hooker teaming up with DrinkWise to remind fans to be respectful and to drink in moderation on the big night with a new campaign supported by the NSW government, NSW police force, the NRL and support services. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a great initiative,\u201d the eight-game Blues star said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was great as a player to experience State of Origin, but now as a fan and as a parent, when you\u2019re sitting in that atmosphere you want it to be remembered for all the good moments on the field and to be able to share those good moments as a fan off the field.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhether they\u2019re at home or at pubs and clubs or at Accor Stadium, we want to encourage people who have a drink to do it in moderation, enjoy the night, enjoy the experience and have respect for everyone around them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat way everyone walks away hopefully with a great NSW win and memories.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ennis is hoping to enjoy a quite beer or two if the Blues win on Wednesday, with Brailey looming as the state\u2019s X-factor off the bench where he\u2019ll provide an attacking spark around the ruck. <\/p>\n
\u201cI haven\u2019t spoken to Blayke leading into it, but I\u2019m so happy for him,\u201d the 2016 Sharks premiership winner said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHim and his brother Jayden were coming through at the back end of my time at Cronulla, so to see both of the boys playing at the elite level has been brilliant.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was always talk around Cronulla of both the boys, but there was definitely some chat when Jayden made his debut that there was another one coming through.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was always touted as a very good dummy-half coming through. Cronulla have been a much better team over the past few seasons when he\u2019s been out there running the footy.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe seems to have found that self-belief in his game and understands the importance of his role in the team.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom those early years of just servicing the others in the team, he\u2019s taken it upon himself to be a real focal point of their attack. When he\u2019s done that, they\u2019ve been able to get deep into finals series.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ennis isn\u2019t sure how Blues coach Laurie Daley will use Brailey off the bench, but is confident he can have an influence if he comes on for starting dummy-half Reece Robson when fatigue settles in late in the first half.<\/p>\n
The selection is thoroughly deserved after the Sharks No. 9 was part of last year\u2019s Ashes tour where Brailey learnt plenty from Queensland counterpart Harry Grant.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor Blayke to be able to get the recognition he deserved last year to tour with the Kangaroos and to now force his way into a State of Origin team is great,\u201d Ennis said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat rotation off the bench with Reece Robson is going to be a huge strength of NSW\u2019s this entire series.<\/p>\n
\u201cReece has got that club combination with James Tedesco, but with where we\u2019re seeing the game at the moment, to have that attacking threat of Brailey through the mid part of the game when fatigue really starts to settle in will be a huge asset.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt can really take a hold of you in State of Origin and can hit you like a tonne of bricks, particularly the first game of the series and with wet conditions in Sydney. Blayke\u2019s speed and his ability to change direction in the middle of the field could be a real strength for NSW.\u201d<\/p>\n