The untimely death from leukaemia of former North Queensland player Sam Faust has added to an emotional State of Origin build-up for NSW hooker Michael Ennis.

Faust passed away in Townsville on Monday morning, aged just 26.

He played 24 matches for the Cowboys in 2007-08, before his football career was cut short when he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in 2009.

Ennis was behind a website set up to auction the jerseys of NRL stars, the original aim to help Faust receive treatment in the US.

The Blues hooker played with the former Cowboy during the pair's time at St George Illawarra.

"He was a really well brought-up, well mannered sort of kid and it's just a shame with his young family to go at such an early age," Ennis told AAP on Monday. "It's tragic.

"It certainly hits home for me with three young kids and him being the same age as me and 12 months ago him doing the same job as me.

"It's all just a reality check to make sure that you really do appreciate what you do every day and what you do with your family every day."

Darren Lockyer, Ben Hannant, Ben Barba, Andrew Ryan and Jamie Lyon are among the stars to have helped Ennis' work, which will now raise money for Faust's family.

Cowboys football manager Peter Parr said he would always remember Faust, who continued to work as a builder while he played in the NRL, turning up to training in cement-dusted work boots.

"He was a terrific bloke, a wonderful bloke," Parr said.

"I always remember him coming here in his work gear and never complaining.

"He had early starts and late finishes ... but never a word of complaint."

Born in Proserpine in Queensland's Whitsundays region, Faust debuted in round 10 of 2007 and played in the five straight victories to end the regular season before featuring in the Cowboys' three finals appearances that year.

Ennis was last week also forced to relive his life-changing trip to Queensland during the devastating floods earlier this year.

The Canterbury No.9 asked to speak on behalf of the Blues after former NSW player Benny Elias had compared the floods to Origin football. Elias, who was involved in flood relief, has since apologised.

Ennis' jersey auctions can be found at www.footysocial.com.au.

The Cowboys will pay tribute to Faust during Saturday night's home game against the Sydney Roosters at Dairy Farmers Stadium.

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