• The Australian
• September 15, 2015 12:00AM
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Michael Ennis is all smiles at North Cronulla yesterday. Picture: Brett Costello.

Michael Ennis avoided being rubbed out of Cronulla’s second semi-final with North Queensland on Saturday but called on the NRL to look at a fines system to replace penalty points for low-grade offences.

That way Ennis said players would avoid missing the biggest games of their careers for “accidents’’ in the heat of battle.

The Sharks and their supporters held their collective breath yesterday waiting for the match review committee to deliver its findings on a careless high tackle by Ennis on South Sydney second rower Chris McQueen in Sunday’s elimination final.

Ennis was coming over McQueen’s right shoulder to try to stop him passing the ball but whacked him on the chin.

“Yesterday was an unfortunate incident,” Ennis said after learning he would be spared missing a game with an early plea.

“We play a combative sport and sometimes accidents happen. These days accidents get marked as grade ones so we’ve just got to deal with that as players. I feel fortunate to have survived this one.”

It was also fortunate Ennis’s contrary conduct charge in mid-March was so early in the season that his carry-over points have been expiring each week.

“There’s certainly an area in the game, among the grade ones, that we could go down the path of a fines systems,” Ennis said “ I certainly don’t think you should be missing big games on the back of grade ones. I’d seen some guys over the years miss important games and I didn’t want to be added to that.”

Bulldogs backrower Frank Pritchard was not as lucky Ennis. He was also charged with a grade one dangerous contact, for leading with his knees into Gareth Widdop on Saturday’s elimination final against St George Illawarra. Pritchard has 51 carry-over points and will miss Friday night’s first semi-final against the Sydney Roosters if the club’s appeal is unsuccessful.

The NRL said any changes to the judicial process would need consultation with the RLPA.

“While we are constantly looking to enhance procedures and processes around the match review committee and the judiciary, there are no plans to introduce a fines element,” an NRL spokesman said. “A system of using fines would impact some players more than others.”

That is a debate for another day. Ennis is just glad he’s a free man.

“I’m very relieved. I’ve got an opportunity now to be part of a game that’s massive for the club,” Ennis said of Saturday night’s final against North Queensland. The winner is one game away from October 4’s grand final.

Cronulla last made a preliminary final in 2008, losing to Melbourne. They claimed the wooden spoon last season.

It was a toss-up at Sharks recovery yesterday who was more relieved — Ennis, his teammates or coach Shane Flanagan — since the NSW Origin rake and former Canterbury captain has been so integral in Cronulla’s success this year.

“I was a bit nervous after the game and thinking about it last night because he’s such a big part of our team,” said forward Chris Heighington. “He sets up so many tries and just leads us around.

“He’s been awesome for us all year. He shows determination on and off the field. I’m really happy he’s free to play this Saturday.”

One of those who has benefited from the Ennis inside or short pass for a try is Luke Lewis.

“He is a big part of our team. And I didn’t think there was much in it at all,’’ Lewis said.

Ennis comes over the top of Souths Chris McQueen in the Sharks’ elimination final win over the premiers.