THERE’S a reason he’s known as The Menace.

For the best part of 13 years Michael Ennis has been finding his way under the skin of opposition players, coaches, referees, and fans alike.

Whether it’s a cheeky palm to the face or a ball thrown at the back of a head, there’s not many players who have mastered the art of the niggle quite like Ennis has.

He’s toed the line more than most — Ennis has regularly been one of the game’s most penalised players.

Round 20

But for all that he is on the field, the underlying truth is he is regarded as one of rugby league’s true characters.

Even the people he’s tormented most will generally tell you what a “good bloke” Ennis is either side of those 80 minutes in the middle.

Michael Ennis of the Sharks takes a selfie with fans. Source: AAP

Perhaps the most famous on-field clash came early in the 2011 season when Parramatta legend Nathan Hindmarsh put one on the hooker’s chin.

The pair have since revealed it was a simple sledge from Ennis which caused the altercation — egging Hindmarsh on to punch him as he had threatened previously.

At that stage of the game Hindmarsh’s Eels led Ennis’ Bulldogs 14-0 and both players were sent to the sin bin to cool off.

From there Canterbury rallied to beat Parramatta 34-14. The gamesmanship shown by Ennis certainly worked on that occasion.

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Don’t think Ennis’ borderline tactics are reserved for those who do him wrong or those he doesn’t like.

In the 2011 Origin series he almost took good mate Corey Parker’s head off.

NSW won the second State of Origin game 18-8 to level the series up, but not before Ennis whacked Parker with a high shot that had the Queensland forward fuming.

Michael Ennis graphic from Fox Sports Lab. Source: FOX SPORTS

Ennis and Parker were best man at each others’ weddings, played together at the Broncos and are the godfather to each others’ children.

But legend has it Parker wouldn’t speak to Ennis for days after the incident.

Ennis hasn’t curbed his niggling behaviour in his older age, either.

Just last season he provoked Benji Marshall to such a degree the latter slapped the now-Cronulla rake across the face.

The pair have joked about it since and are weekly co-panellists on NRL 360, but it perhaps shows the extent to which Ennis can get under the skin of opponents during the heat of battle.

Watch some of the more memorable moments from Ennis’ career in the video player above!

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