Though set to call a day on his time as a club footballer at the end of the 2016 season, Sharks hooker Michael Ennis says he's not lost hopes of a maiden Kangaroos call-up, at this year's edition of the Four Nations.
Announcing his pending retirement from NRL on Tuesday, Ennis - in speaking with the media on Friday - sent out a stark reminder of his ambitions to represent Australia at the end of the season.
"I'm definitely available this year," Ennis said.
"Obviously Cameron (Smith) is there, but fingers crossed if we can get deep into the finals ... It's one thing (representing Australia) is one thing I haven't done.
"It's one thing I'd love to do. It'd be a wonderful tour to be a part of at the end of the year, but our side needs to keep playing well."
Playing in each and every one of the side's 18 matches this season, the 32-year-old hooker has been in career-best form, and proven a major influence in the side's run of fifteen consecutive wins.