Injured Bulldogs skipper Michael Ennis says he isn't expecting any Jonathan Thurston-like gestures should his side triumph without him in Sunday's grand final.

Ennis suffered two fractures in his foot in the Bulldogs' preliminary final victory over Penrith last week and the departing skipper effectively ruled himself out of the decider on Tuesday.

"I need a miracle to be honest, there's two breaks in there," Ennis said.

"I've played injured plenty of times, I just haven't faced this sort of injury before and it's just unfortunate it's come at this time.

"I've faced some challenges in footy and this has certainly been one of the toughest ones I've had to come to grips with but Des has been terrific through that time.

"I think he'll give me every opportunity but we're both not naive as well and we know that it's all but gone."

Ennis was named in Hasler's side for the match on Tuesday but the 30-year-old said he didn't plan on letting speculation over his fitness drag on and hamper his side's grand final preparations.

"The reason I wanted to do media today was so that we can move on," Ennis said.

"I want my teammates to concentrate on the grand final. I don't want them to see me on the TV screens and in the papers every day [talking] about whether I'm going to play. I want them to focus on their preparation and what they need to do for Sunday.

"I know Souths expect me to play but I've been honest all along and said unless I wake up one day and for some reason all the pain's gone ... it's highly unlikely."

Ennis is not the first Bulldogs captain to face the heartbreak of missing a grand final.

Former captain Steve Price also suffered an injury in the preliminary final in 2004 and was forced to watch on as his teammates claimed the club's last premiership.

It's become part of grand final folklore that a young Thurston - who picked up his third Dally M medal on Monday night - famously handed over the ring he won for playing in Price's place to his skipper amid the celebrations.

Ennis said he was expecting no such gesture should his side upset the Rabbitohs on Sunday.

‘‘No not at all. I don’t expect anything out of it on Sunday to be honest,’’ he said. ‘‘I’m just that happy for the boys, I know how hard they’ve worked.

‘‘I’m just grateful that I’ve been able to play at this club and that I’ve met and played with some champion people and I’ll leave the club with some great memories and fingers crossed we get the win on Sunday and I can celebrate a special time with my teammates and the people at the club.’’

Asked what role he would play, Ennis said: ‘‘I’ve spoken to Des about it and I’m on hand for whatever they need. 

‘‘I’ll work hard at the back end [of the week] with whoever’s going to take my place, if that’s the case, and just smile and enjoy the week for what it is.’’

Reni Maitua, 2004 premiership veteran,  and livewire utility Moses Mbye are in line to replace Ennis after being named on an extended bench.