Paul Gallen

Paul Gallen (born 14 August 1981) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and retired professional boxer. He played as a lock, prop and second-row forward and captained the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the NRL to their maiden NRL Premiership in 2016.

He is a former captain and representative of the New South Wales State of Origin team. He has also been the vice captain of Australia and played his whole NRL career with the Sharks, with whom he won the 2016 NRL Premiership. He was the NRL's oldest player playing in 2018. He shares the Australian first grade record for most seasons played in the NRL with Cameron Smith at 19 seasons.

Gallen played his junior rugby league for the Wentworthville Magpies and was in the Parramatta Eels junior system playing the S. G. Ball Cup before being overlooked by the Eels. Gallen later signed with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. Speaking about being let go by Parramatta, Gallen said "I was never really given a go, I wasn't really getting a look-in there and decided to go elsewhere. I wanted to move away from the area and I knew one of the Cronulla trainers at the time, I played SG Ball for them, that's it. I'm from the district but I wouldn't call myself an ex-Parramatta player, that's for sure".

In June 2001, Gallen made his NRL debut for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks against the Parramatta Eels in round 15 at Toyota Park. Cronulla lost the match 36 to 6. He made one more appearance that season in the final round, where the Sharks were victorious over the Brisbane Broncos 24–16.

Gallen scored his first ever try at first-grade level during round 14 of the 2002 season - against the Canberra Raiders. Gallen made 21 appearances in his second season at first-grade level for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, scoring one try during the season.

During the round 11 match (in 2003) against the Newcastle Knights, Gallen was sent off by referee Paul Simpkins after a high shot on Sean Rudder. Gallen made a total of 17 first-grade appearances for the club in 2003, scoring five tries in the process.

In the opening round of the year, against the Wests Tigers, Gallen was involved in a fight which saw him suspended for two weeks after the NRL Judiciary found him guilty of a contrary conduct charge. The judiciary decided that he had "instigated and tried to go on with a fight involving Wests Tigers prop John Skandalis". He also sustained an elbow injury during the match which ruled him out until round six of the competition. Gallen was the only player in round one to contest his charge.

In round 11 against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, Gallen scored an impressive two tries in his sides 30 points to 28 victory.