Nashy
Immortal
Senior Staff
- Mar 5, 2008
- 54,366
- 34,635
Had to have a laugh at this.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/sharks-skipper-paul-gallen-says-hes-had-enough-of-his-side-being-ridiculed/news-story/fe593530da9c927a023560a1cde7d9bd
“Why did they ask that? I couldn’t believe it was even a question,” Gallen told The Daily Telegraph on Wednesday.Cronulla have won one trophy — the 1979 midweek Amco Cup — since entering the NSWRL competition back in 1967.
For Gallen, who has put his body on the line for the Sharks over the past 15 seasons, it stings.
“It does, to be honest,” Gallen said.
“Personally, I have put so much into the club for so long. It is hard to take when people ... I do get hammered on social media.
“They are keyboard warriors. Sometimes you laugh. It doesn’t worry me (social media) but it does burn me up when you guys (media) ask the question because it’s going out to millions of people.
“The unfortunate thing is that it’s true ... we haven’t a competition. I can’t hide away from that fact.
Paul Gallen receives treatment during a game against the Bulldogs.Source:News Corp Australia
“But I can be proud of my efforts, I know I have always put 100 per cent in. I have devoted everything to the club and I will continue to do so.”
How long Gallen continues to chase that elusive premiership remains to be seen. A week out from his 16th year in the NRL, the Sharks skipper will assess his body during the season before deciding on whether to push on into the 2017 season.
With the recruitment of halves James Maloney and returning Sharks junior Chad Townsend, plus the emergence of Jack Bird and Valentine Holmes, this could be Gallen’s best — and final — chance to deliver Cronulla a maiden title.
“It needs to be a team performance and, unfortunately, over the years, to be brutally honest, we haven’t had the team anywhere near capable of making the semi-finals,” Gallen said.
“There have been years when we have won the wooden spoon, finished 14th, 15th a number of times. We have finally put together a squad that can do something. Hopefully we can make the most of it this year.”
Gallen compares this current side to the 2002 Sharks team featuring Brett Kimmorley, Preston Campbell and Greg Bird.
Paul Gallen during a Sharks trial game. Picture: Jenny EvansSource:News Corp Australia
“I was only 19, 20 years old back then,” Gallen said. “Me, Birdy, there were a few of us coming through back then like we have now.
“I suppose I’m now the Jason Stevens of the team. David Peachey, Paul Mellor, blokes like that. A real mix of youth and experience.
“We played in a grand final qualifier that year and I’d love to be in that position later this season. There is a lot of hard work to be done between now and then.”
Cronulla play reigning premiers and World Club champions North Queensland at Townsville in round one.
“To see them go on and win the competition, when they hadn’t won one, it was good for them but it does burn me at bit,” Gallen said.
“All we can do it turn up every week and do our best. Fingers crossed we can one-day get it done. They are the best team in the world at the moment. Hopefully we can hit the ground running. There is a whole new core with halves, hookers and fullbacks, they are all new. It might take a couple of weeks.”
http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/sharks-skipper-paul-gallen-says-hes-had-enough-of-his-side-being-ridiculed/news-story/fe593530da9c927a023560a1cde7d9bd
