Paul Gallen claims that the NRL is effectively punishing him twice for his now-infamous State of Origin punch on Nate Myles, and has called for changes to the league’s judiciary system.
The Cronulla skipper will miss Sunday’s final round clash with Canberra after taking the early guilty plea to a grade one dangerous contact charge for a crusher tackle on North Queensland’s Scott Bolton on Sunday.
While the charge itself does not automatically attract a suspension, loading and 38 carry-over points from Gallen’s Origin II melee with Queenslander Myles pushed the charge over the threshold for a one-match ban.
“That’s something that I’m a bit annoyed about,” Gallen said on Wednesday.
“It is disappointing for my club, the fact that I was suspended for the Origin incident – I missed a game back then because of that – and now later on in the year, at a pretty important time, that’s what’s tipped me over the edge.
“A grade one would’ve only gotten me 70 or 80 points or something. I would’ve taken the early guilty plea and been fine to play. But obviously now I can’t because of what happened earlier in the year.
“I think that needs to be looked at.
“It definitely needs a change.”
Gallen said even though the round 26 match against the Raiders won’t have any bearing on the Sharks’ position on the NRL ladder going into the finals series, the fact he was cited had been upsetting.
“Me not playing this week, I’m not too concerned about it. I’m a bit upset at the charge though,” he said.
“I can understand I’ve been charged with a grade one, but I mean I’ve been playing for well over 200 games and probably made 30 or 40 tackles a game and never been involved in a tackle like this.
“It was purely accidental and some times these things happen in a game.
“But anyway, I’ll cop a week for it and just get on with it in round one of the semis.”
he NRL is effectively punishing him twice for his now-infamous State of Origin punch on Nate Myles, and has called for changes to the league’s judiciary system.
The Cronulla skipper will miss Sunday’s final round clash with Canberra after taking the early guilty plea to a grade one dangerous contact charge for a crusher tackle on North Queensland’s Scott Bolton on Sunday.
While the charge itself does not automatically attract a suspension, loading and 38 carry-over points from Gallen’s Origin II melee with Queenslander Myles pushed the charge over the threshold for a one-match ban.
“That’s something that I’m a bit annoyed about,” Gallen said on Wednesday.
“It is disappointing for my club, the fact that I was suspended for the Origin incident – I missed a game back then because of that – and now later on in the year, at a pretty important time, that’s what’s tipped me over the edge.
“A grade one would’ve only gotten me 70 or 80 points or something. I would’ve taken the early guilty plea and been fine to play. But obviously now I can’t because of what happened earlier in the year.
“I think that needs to be looked at.
“It definitely needs a change.”
Gallen said even though the round 26 match against the Raiders won’t have any bearing on the Sharks’ position on the NRL ladder going into the finals series, the fact he was cited had been upsetting.
“Me not playing this week, I’m not too concerned about it. I’m a bit upset at the charge though,” he said.
“I can understand I’ve been charged with a grade one, but I mean I’ve been playing for well over 200 games and probably made 30 or 40 tackles a game and never been involved in a tackle like this.
“It was purely accidental and some times these things happen in a game.
“But anyway, I’ll cop a week for it and just get on with it in round one of the semis.”
JB
Guest
Well said Val Tither. Gallen is the grubbiest player I have seen for many years in the NRL and the most protected. NRL make me laugh with their double standards want mothers to let their kids play this code but keep creeps like him in the game. Ova Paul Gallen and his whiny complaining when he is in the wrong.
Val Tither
Guest
I have no Sympathy for Paul Gallen, maybe he should have a look at himself and his attitude, and stop feeling sorry for himself, he certainly doesn't have any remorse for his victims of which there seems to be quite a number, I am sick of hearing him going off POOR ME.just get on the field and prove your worth what your paid.
V.O.R.
Guest
...didn't even read it.....and I am guessing your point is that I have an allegiance towards Barba and that I am selective in my analysis of individuals who detract from the game. You are mistaken.
Tiger
Guest
Soft crusher The Eye????? Well maybe you should use both eyes because how can a guy weighing over 100kg do a soft crusher tackle!!! He lifted the guy up and then crunched down on him with his full weight!!! And we see Gallen come out and portray himself as some kind of victim..come on he is the one who committed the act, and a bloody dangerous one at that! He hasn't shown any remorse about his actions..he should count himself lucky that he got off so lightly rather then whinge and moan like the sook he has fast become!
The eye
Guest
Wow,VOR talk about an imaginative mind,not addressing that totally separate issue at all.He was guilty and punished in accordance with the letter of the law.So,whats his rap sheet for the year prompting the 'thug' tag..couple of punches and a 1st time offence for a soft crusher..shield your children.
Renegade
Guest
V.O.R, I noticed you didn't have any condemning comments on the ben barba article yesterday....surely your use of the daily telegraph as substantial evidence warranted a post.
Renegade
Guest
I myself am not going to defend what deserved a week punishment but I will defend innocent parties when both of you try to claim daily telegraph stories as legitimate fact. It's a silly comment from Gallen - full stop. Marldon, I don't live in the shire but if the people there are hobbits at least they are not muppets like yourself who clearly has lost touch with reality through his agenda driven irrational rants.
Renegade
Guest
Because Glenn Stewart's name shouldn't be mentioned in the same breath as those two...
V.O.R.
Guest
...and The Eye, are you insinuating with your use of irony that the NRL judiciary has been the bastion of consistency this year? If this is the premise underlying your comment, that is, that the NRL judiciary can be used as some sort of measurement to determine the degree of thuggery then you perhaps went to the same primary school as the Cronulla skipper. Tic, toc, tic, toc.... not long now.
Marldon
Guest
The only thing the judiciary have done is make Flanno's decision to rest Gal before the finals for him. This week is a nothing match anyway. Talk about getting off lightly.
The eye
Guest
Yeah the NRL judiciary deemed it such an horrifically intentionally act of malice they gave him a WHOLE week holiday..which would have been nothing more than a severe slap on the wrist if it wasnt for having to discipline that wayward Qlder ..Stewart asked not to be picked by the way.
john badseed
Guest
I think Sticky knows where the skeletons are hidden. that's why his amigos Gallen and Bird talked up as Origin Greats and G. Stewart can't get a game.
Marldon
Guest
The hobbits from the shire (term credit goes to itsamansgame) tend to stick their heads in the sand when there is any bad news about. Living in the shire must be a cross between Lord of the Rings and Telly Tubbies. How else can any reasonable person go on ignoring the bad stuff and thinking they are some sort of protected species ? Its time for Cronulla and Gallen to face the music and when the fat lady finishes her warble, I doubt that Paul Gallen will be playing rugby league any more.
Marldon
Guest
+1
Marldon
Guest
Fairly typical attitude of the hobbits from the shire.
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
his constant thuggery on the field, complaining and whining in the media, confronting that Sharks staffer who talked to ASADA at his own home, having his mobile taken at the airport by the authorities, and taking payments under the table from the sharks. He is lucky he is still in the game. Cant NSW find someone reputable to be captain?
Marldon
Guest
Well said Rodney. Why people are so obsessed with him I don't know. He throws punches around and expects to be called a hero. He uses a crusher tackle and gets a very light sentence and still he complains. I know that he may well be facing the end of his career but he needs to start showing the game some respect.
V.O.R.
Guest
Ha, ha....can't see too many of the Cronulla fan boys popping their heads up at the moment. Pretty hard to defend the undefendable I suspect. C'mon lads....out of the woodwork....this forum needs some balance! ;)
chivasdude
Guest
Tiger & Wilson..+1.
Australian Rules
Guest
Gallen is almost becoming a parody of himself. Just one whinge after another.