GAL best forward since the 50's

[Alec]

Well, he's definitely by far the best forward in the game at the moment, but it still feels like they are blowing their loads way too early, just like with Slater being the greatest fullback.

 

[Dexter]

If anything the game is probably harder now, especially for forwards. The size and strength of the guys you're playing against has increased by a huge margin, as has the speed of the game. Even today's fringe first-graders would dominate if you gave them a Delorean and sent them back to pre-1990.
I never used to like Gallen; I still remember the testicle-grabbing and face raking in his past. But you have to give the guy credit; he's cleaned his game right up and worked hard to become not only an excellent player, but a strong leader too. If you were a recruiter building a new club from scratch, he'd definitely be one of your first targets.

That's true but you can't say that if you plucked a player from another era and trained him the same way, under current rules, that he wouldn't measure up. Who knows, some of our current stars might not measure up under the old rules. With the 5 mtr rule you barely had time to catch the ball before someone was on you and the refs didn't protect you nearly as much.

 

[Big Pete]

He's only played to this standard in the past year and even then he burnt out come the back end of the season.

Interesting to see if we'll even be talking about Gallen come September.

 

[JaseC]

Has anyone heard of this guy named Arthur Beetson?

 

[The Brizz]

SOO game 3 last year, Gallen 80minutes 20 runs for 160m, Civo 50minutes 20 runs for 190m I know which stats I would take. Playing the 80 really flatters his stats yes he is amazing but by stats so are Parker and Fensom. Give me a prop running in stints over a lock who gets a lot of his metres running wide especially for Cronulla.

 

[The Brizz]

Lazo played 70+ minutes the vast majority of his career and was often at his best late in games, in an era of less professionalism and lower fitness the achievements and standards Lazarus set Gallen can only dream of.

 

[dukey]

Lazo played 70+ minutes the vast majority of his career and was often at his best late in games, in an era of less professionalism and lower fitness the achievements and standards Lazarus set Gallen can only dream of.

Don't forget that era of less professionalism and lower fitness applied to Lazarus' opponents too. Every week Gallen comes up against entire teams of extremely fit full-time footballers that Lazo never had to face.

 

[Kimlo]

Not sure if the best ever but IMO right up there as the best forward in the game.
He's ridiculously good, his fitness is just unbelievable.

 

[Huge]

Fair play to Gallen please...Hindmarsh workrate..Webcke toughness..and as fierce as any prop who has played...there is no downside to his game and there hasn't been for several years..it isn't new ...4 years ago he turned his onfield performances around deciding during the off-season to be a different player. He'd already been branded a dog in the media and he had been guilty as charged.

My mate (former Caringbah junior from ETs era) and I watch both teams go round..I saw Gallen belted and bashed, baited and beaten for a whole season. The refs never gave him any peace either, penalizing him on suspicion and reputation. He wore it without complaint.

In 2 years he turned the ship around.A machine for years now. The only NSW player who would walk into this QLD side.

 

[Professor47]

Well, he's definitely by far the best forward in the game at the moment, but it still feels like they are blowing their loads way too early, just like with Slater being the greatest fullback.

I don't know about that - Slater has really proven himself IMO... He is the one of the most consistent players who has debuted post-2000. He's developed in leaps and bounds as a player and deserves to be labelled a top-shelf player.

 

[OXY-351]

With all due respect Broncoman, you weren't even born when a lot of great forwards our game were at their peak. It's a tad annoying for you to agree with the article.

So I guess there wasn't many great forwards between 1908 and 1980?

 

[Meat77]

Honestly I think it's just plain silly to say that Gallen in the best forward in 60 years. Please.

The guy has made himself basically the only automatic selection from NSW for rep teams for the past couple of years but that is a MASSIVE stretch to even consider that notion.

If this was the centenary year of league I wonder how many "Teams of the Century" he'd make - my guess - Cronulla's. That's it.

 

[Coxy]

I've always thought Gallen was overrated. One of those guys people call "tough" for being grubby. But he's certainly turned that around in the last few years (apart from the odd grubby act...like raking at someone's stitches). He's certainly up there with the best forwards in the game at the moment, and I can't think of anyone who stands out above him at the moment on form.

 

[Professor47]

I've always thought Gallen was overrated. One of those guys people call "tough" for being grubby. But he's certainly turned that around in the last few years (apart from the odd grubby act...like raking at someone's stitches). He's certainly up there with the best forwards in the game at the moment, and I can't think of anyone who stands out above him at the moment on form.

I'm hoping this doesn't rub off and have a chain effect in Origin (to the other players)... obviously NSW ant to ambush us game 1, easily their best (arguably only) chance of winning the series.

 

[Steve Ward]

I think Gal is a head of any forward I have seen. Making over 200 meters over 30 tackles a game that is a freak. His stats this year are amazing. But that's just my option.