How much must Cronulla be paying this man to stay with them? I'm not really up to date with the rugby down under but watching him today, he just oozed class, determination and amazing fitness levels. Could you send him over to warrington any time soon, pretty please with a cherry on top?

Epic performance, even more so considering hes not a real prop.
He'll be Blues captain for a good few years to come. A humble man as well.
Readily admits hes no star and has to work extra hard to get where he is.
Hes so fit to make up for a lack of natural skill, roughly his own words.

Out of contract at the end of 2013.

Says he'll never play for another NRL club.

I feel bait sorry for Gallen, every time Cronulla bring some good players through they leave, I wonder what percentage of the cap they spend.

He's a Parra junior ain't he? Wenty that is.

One of the best efforts in Origin ever, Gallen is a machine. 200+ metres, about 30 odd tackles.
The one thing i used to hate about him was he always had silly errors in him and a guarenteed penalty but not anymore. He off-loads but only when it's on, not just for the sake of it. The Hoppa try came through Gallen getting out of a tackle and off-loading.
On the Sharks, he deserves to play in a top team does Gallen but he wont leave. The Sharks have lost Snowden and Douglas but have just signed Andrew Fifita and Bryce Gibbs from the Tigers which are two good signings IMO, especially Fifita. He's been one of the Tigers best this year and is just as good as Snowden, he might end up been better. They've got a good backrow but Tupou doesn't do enough for someone on $400k a season so he might get offloaded when his contract is up this year or next. It's the backs that aren't good enough and they need a hooker. Isaac De Gois will go back to the Sharks so that's another good signing. The halves need sorting out, plenty of youngsters with potential but they need a proven half to control the side IMO. Gardner is good at FB and will get better but they lack strike out wide and need to get 2 good centres in.

They've signed Robson from Parramatta.

I don't know why they don't raid SL tbh, players like King, Dobson, Chase would improve them.

We offered him a bucket load to come to Manly after BK retired and he turned it down. I think that decision cost him something like $100,000

Great player but he is one dirty bugger,that hit on Inglis was a cheap shot and he does this frequently.

All the more reason to like him.

Not really,he is a good enough player not to resort to this.

Nar, I agree, it definitely makes him more likable.

I cant believe he's only played 10 games for NSW and he's coming up to 30 years old. But i suppose he's been in a Sharks side that's struggled and there's been some great backrowers play for NSW during that time.

Yet another outstanding performance today in leading the Sharks to a 36-12 hammering of the Titans. Got through his usual amount of work with plenty of tackles, about 130m and 2 tries while also going off for a well deserved rest after about 70 minutes. The guy is an absolute machine and there is no better forward in the game.
Glad to see the Sharks win a couple of games on the trot, just for Gallen.
I didn't actually see the game but i have liked the look of Nathan Gardner when i've seen him, he also got 2 tries today and the young halfback Chad Robinson, has anyone seen him play? They've won a couple of games and he's only just come into the side so he must be doing something right. Just wondered what people thought of him?

I haven't watched the Sharks in a while, so can't answer your question. But I do echo your thoughts and admiration for Sir Paul Gallen.

He's said this Origin decider is the biggest game of his life. You know he means it. It's an exciting thought.

Story of Parramattas life sadly.

I am an exiled Trinity Fan here in Australia but am a family member at The Sharks (yes I know a glutton for punishment... I guess I am attracted to the underdog!)...

however I am i a reasonable position to comment as I have seen every sharks game this year and most toyota cup games ... as well as a few NSW games...

with a full and fit roster the sharks can - even this year - match it with most teams... however a glut of injuries from about round 5 saw a slump in form... now players are returning to the team ... Gardner and Morris particularly... and the team is firing again... as wins against the Dogs and Titans testify...

Young Chad Townsend is a very solid scrum half... good distribution and a very good kicking game... it will be an interesting choice between his solid game and Albert Kelly's flamboyant running game when Kelly returns from injury in a couple of weeks.

This years signing of Wade Graham was massive and the recruitment drive for next year is in full swing with the signings of

Sam Tagataese
Jeff Robson
Bryce Gibbs
Andrew Fifita
Isaac De Gois
Mark Taufua
Jon Green

add Gallen, Smith, Toupu and Bakuya into the mix

gives rise to some increased optimism... yes we have lost Snowden and Douglas... but that looks an awesome pack for next season!!

The Sharks will have a good pack again next year but they've got a good pack this year, one of the best starting packs when fit. It's the backs that let them down and it will be next year unless they start to sign some quality strike players out wide. Gardner is a great prospect at FB and has been going well this year in patches, the halves are all young but will get better and they've started winning with Townsend and Graham as the halves. They need some quality centres, Colin Best has been a prretty decent player but is nearing the end of his career and they need to add some strike out wide.
De Gois going back is great for them IMO, i rate him and the Sharks have struggled over the past few years at hooker, Corey Hughes was past his best, then they've had Paul Aiton, Flanaghan and Morris and none of them have done a great job and it's been a problem position for them. De Gois will give them some stability in that position and do a good job week in week out.

albert kelly was dreadful last year under the high ball but the sharks stuck by him as they saw the potential, he will be great when he gets back to match fitness, he started the season in great form and looks like being a good player

I'm sure that was just one game when he got thrown in at FB when he spilt all them bombs.
I dont think he's been great this year when he was fit, he was going okay but nothing special. He's improve though as he's only young but he'll have a fight on his hands to get back in as the Sharks have been winning without him lately. Chad Townsend is the future and looks promising plus they've been winning with him, then they've got Wade Graham playing at 6. Albert Kelly to come back from injury and Jeff Robson for next year, options are better than no options but it will be interesting to see which way they go.
I think it's centres they need more than anything now, they've got a good pack and hooker, options in the halves, Gardner at FB but the centres have no quality or strike out wide.

strong rumours of Kane Linnet from the chickens!

shame your going broke. I can see the attraction being a Wakefield fan!

things are a bit tight this month... school fees... but apart from that I'm ok!