A distinct role for Ennis in 2017 is still to be formalised, but Flanagan hopes the 32-year-old can help nurture the next generation of Sharks hookers, which includes Wests Tigers recruit Manaia Cherrington, and Holden Cup brothers Jayden and Blayke Brailey.

The retirement of Ennis leaves a gaping hole for Cronulla at dummy half with Sunday's grand final the 273rd and final NRL game of his career.

Prior to his two seasons at the club, the Sharks were served in that role by experienced duo John Morris and Isaac De Gois who have more than 500 games of NRL experience between them.

Twenty-two-year-old Cherrington has just 16 NRL games to his name, and would benefit supremely with Ennis in a coaching role.

"Flanno said 'mate I want to keep you involved'," Ennis said.

"He sort of said why don't we let the season take us where it's going to take us and then we'll sort it out afterwards, wherever it sort of fits best for the club.

"We've got some great young kids [with] the two Brailey boys, young Cherrington coming here and Fa'amanu Brown.

"I'd love to help those boys out where I can. The club, everything's going around here, the supporter base, the development next door, it's a good time for the club.

"[I] can only imagine how strong it'll be with this roster that we've got and the staff that we've got here and the people running the club off the field, how powerful this club could become."

Ennis joined his victorious teammates at Southern Cross Group Stadium on Monday, addressing thousands of delirious Sharks fans and showing off the club's maiden NRL trophy.

Sunday night's two-point win over the Storm ended Ennis' storied NRL career, which also included stints at Newcastle, St George Illawarra, Brisbane and Canterbury.

Flanagan said the Sharks couldn't allow a man of his experience to slip out the back door.

"We'll keep him around, whether he does something with our young halves or hookers I'm not quite sure," Flanagan said.

"We've got to keep someone like that within our club and that's part of the process.

"It's all the little things Michael does. His kick pressure and his line speed, they call him the Menace but most of that stuff's from being aggressive and putting people under pressure, doing all the stuff people don't want to do.

"His influence on some of our younger kids will be a massive impact for us."

The Sharks confirmed in August that they'd signed Cherrington from the Tigers on a one-year deal.

Ex-Canberra Raider and Sydney Rooster Matt McIlwrick deputised for Ennis at hooker this season, but he's off contract at the end of the season, and unlikely to be offered a new deal.

Cherrington was part of New Zealand's train-on squad for the tour of England last year, and played five games from the bench for the Tigers this season.

Jayden Brailey meanwhile has been a mainstay in Cronulla's under-20s side over the past two seasons, and was named in this year's National Youth Competition team of they ear. He also trained with the NRL squad in pre-season.

His brother Blayke was part of the Sharks' SG Ball team that won the under-18s competition last season.