Cronk fumes after Ennis 'The Menace' strikes

He's got the most apt nickname in the NRL and Michael "the Menace" Ennis has once again lived up to the monicker after a typical in your face scuffle with Cooper Cronk during Cronulla's loss to Melbourne on Monday night.

With the Sharks trailing 12-2 late in the first half, Ennis reached into his bag of antagonism to try and get under the skin of the Storm halfback and lift his teammates when the No.7 hoisted a high kick.

Moments after booting the ball, Ennis pounced on Cronk, bear hugging him and pushing him in the face, prompting the playmaker to chase after him as he walked away and push him in the back.

The Sharks hooker then returned and delivered an open palm to Cronk's face before the pair began grappling.

Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith then rushed in to join the fray, shortly followed by several Cronulla players, before the pair were eventually separated as the referee intervened.

Play eventually resumed without a penalty and while there was nothing sinister in the incident it again underlined why Ennis earned his nickname.

The scuffle came as the Sharks' charge toward a top four finals spot ended in abrupt fashion with Melbourne delivering a clinical 32-2 shutout at Remondis Stadium.

Cronulla's one dimensional attack failed to trouble the Storm and after trailing 12-2 at halftime, the home side never managed to get in the contest.