Canberra Raiders ready to spoil Paul Gallen’s Cronulla farewell

Canberra are planning to spoil Paul Gallen’s final game ever in the Shire and club great Mick Ennis - who has gone from Raiders villain to hero - is helping the Green Machine make it happen.

Cronulla Sharks NRL captain Paul Gallen speaks to the media ahead of his final game at Shark Park on Sunday. Picture: Brett Costello

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The Canberra Raiders are plotting to dominate Paul Gallen and his forward pack in a bid to spoil the Cronulla workhorse’s shire farewell party.

The 345-game Sharks veteran will play his final game at PointsBet Stadium on Sunday afternoon but don’t expect any sentiment to be shown from Ricky Stuart’s men.

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Paul Gallen is preparing for his final game in Cronulla. Picture: Daniel Berehulak

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Raiders backrower Elliott Whitehead told The Daily Telegraph his side is solely focused on the two competition points up for grabs and cementing a top four spot.

“They have some big boys but we’ve got a game plan that hopefully works against them. We’ll look to move them around and tire them out a little bit. They’ll be up for it too. They’ll want to get the win for Gallen but it’s our job to spoil the party,” he said.

Elliott Whitehead says the Raiders will be ready for an emotionally charged Sharks outfit.

The rivalry between the two sides went to another level after the Sharks beat the Raiders in week one of the finals in 2016 at GIO Stadium.

Mick Ennis trolled the Raiders faithful with his very own viking clap on fulltime.

But the premiership winning hooker is now part of Canberra’s coaching stuff and Raiders players were quick to issue a ‘please explain’ when Ennis first lobbed in the ACT for preseason training.

“The boys were onto him about pretty quick, he copped a bit of stick,” Raiders back Nick Cotric said.

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“He just said it was something that happening the heat of the game. It was an aggressive game and he was just happy that they won.”

Whitehead also said Ennis has quickly gone from a villain in the eyes of Raiders players to a crucial part of the their success in season 2019.

“Mick’s come in and done a great job here to be fair. He’s a smart man and footballer, he’s played a lot of games. He’s been a big help to not only our hooker Josh Hodgson but to our halves as well,” he said.

Raiders fans react to Michael Ennis’ viking clap in 2016.

Originally published as Canberra Raiders ready to spoil Paul Gallen’s Cronulla farewell