10 years of Gallen and Cronulla

Paul Gallen brings up 10 years at the Cronulla Sharks








AND they say loyalty is dead in rugby league.

Take a look at this official NRL playing contract, obtained exclusively by The Daily Telegraph.
It is the first deal Paul Gallen signed with Cronulla way back on June 1, 2001. It was worth $6500 a season.
Just two days later, Gallen, then 19, made his first-grade debut in a 36-6 loss to eventual runners-up Parramatta.
Exactly 10 years on, Gallen remains with the struggling Sharks and will lead his side on to Toyota Stadium tomorrow night for a vital match against the Brisbane Broncos.

When he signed his first deal, Gallen supplemented his modest football contract by working as a plumber.
For the 2002 season, Gallen's deal was bumped up to $7500 through bonuses.
He has rejected offers over the years with Parramatta and Manly to remain a Shark - decisions that cost him up to $250,000.
After his humble start with the club, Gallen has grown into one of Cronulla's greatest.
A heroic leader who now captains NSW.
"I feel proud of what I have done at a struggling club," Gallen said.
"It makes me appreciate things more. I have done it the hard way. There were a couple of times when I thought about leaving. I nearly went to Manly at the end of 2007.
"But I stuck around with 'Sticky' [then Sharks coach Ricky Stuart] and I don't regret it.
"I stayed for a lot less money. I'm not sure how much [I sacrificed].
"But it was $90,000 less than Manly. I got upgraded though in the third year of that contract.
"Early on I could have gone back to Parramatta but I didn't want to.
"There have been some good times and some down times [at the Sharks]."
Asked why he stayed, Gallen said: "The lure of trying to win that first premiership at Cronulla.
"Things haven't always gone to plan here but we are starting again.
"It's up to the club to sort things out and get this place pumping again.
"I just want to go out and play the best I can each week."
To mark Gallen's 10-year anniversary, Cronulla are offering $10 tickets for all
general admission tomorrow evening.
The game will also be the final in Sydney for retiring Broncos skipper Darren Lockyer. Once again the two Origin captains go head-to-head.
Gallen has also managed to reinvent himself off the field, his image having improved dramatically in recent years.
"It has gone quick but I still feel like I'm improving," he said. "I still don't feel like I'm at the peak of my powers.
"This is a crunch game for us [against the Broncos].
"We need to string together a few wins or we won't make the eight again.
"We don't want to miss the finals again ... the years are ticking by."
Lockyer will be nervous heading into his last game in Sydney. Given the occasion, Cronulla officials hope, with good weather, they can attract a crowd of around 18,000 for the match.
Asked about Lockyer, Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan said: "I have always enjoyed watching Darren play.
"We hope there will be a big crowd here for the match.
"We just don't want Darren to play too well."
Lockyer said this week: "The adrenaline is always there. I love getting on to the team bus and heading to the ground. You always know in Sydney that things are against you. That is one thing I'll miss when I retire."

 

Sickest cunt.

 

Haha you obviously haven't been part of a team environment before.

 

Its not the 10 years more the fact he gave up some more lucrative deals to remain.

 

Yeah, Broncos tried to get him. Would have been pretty epic with him and Parker in the same pack.

 

Scumulla is more of a waste treatment plant than a pond though. Cant be good for your gills.

 

I would prefer to make friends and have a good social life then winning a premiership.

 

Nah. He's gone I think.

 

You can jump in on a train at any club TBH.