Paul Gallen must be commended for speaking his mind on a topic which only suspended Cronulla Sharks coach Shane Flanagan is better placed to speak on.
Normally, a player publicly questioning the work ethic of their first grade coach would have hell to pay. But this is no normal situation Gallen and his Sharks find themselves in.
No other captain in the history of our great game can say they have felt what Gallen is feeling this season.
Cronulla have been rocked by the ongoing ASADA investigations, lost their mentor in Flanagan, and been savaged by injury even before a ball was kicked in anger.
Social media lit up on Sunday after Gallen commented on the current situation at Cronulla as part of his role on Triple M radio.
“I don’t want to sit here and bag Sharpie [caretaker coach Peter Sharp], but Sharpie has just been thrown in the deep end. He came out day one and said he doesn’t want the job,” Gallen said.
“…To me players are like schoolkids. If you can get away with a little bit you’re going to. If you know your team can turn up Monday and your coach isn’t going to rouse on you for not having a good game, I don’t think you’re going to put 100 per cent in.
“And I think that’s been the problem throughout the whole year. I don’t think players have been putting 100 per cent in because they’re under the impression that Sharpie isn’t putting 100 per cent in.”
Cronulla isn’t Sharp’s team and that’s exactly what Gallen was getting at, reiterating what Sharp had already said earlier in the season. He didn’t say Sharp wasn’t putting in 100 per cent, merely that the players were under that impression because of Sharp’s comments.
Nobody has a bad word to say about Sharp.
He’s a great survivor of the game, a good bloke and a fantastic assistant coach. But the Sharks made a serious error in judgment in throwing the keys to Sharp for twelve months. They should have offered the opportunity to a young coach and given them the chance to prove their credentials to other suitors.
Gallen’s comments about certain teammates, who weren’t mentioned by name, is a regular line from a captain in a struggling side. We hear it all the time from embattled leaders desperately trying to find a way to jolt their team into action.
Modern sport is littered with throwaway lines, clichés and repetitive nonsensical rubbish, yet we jump down the throat of a man who has done more for his struggling club in 14 frustrating seasons than anyone else combined at the Sharks, just because he says something insanely close to honest?
Gallen’s words were pure and there was certainly no attack on Sharp.
Yet certain parts of social media bagged the veteran warhorse, taking what he said out of context in a way only social media can.
“Paul Gallen lacks class and intelligence” said @ChappellGrant.
“Seems to me Paul Gallen needs to pull his head out of his arse” from @jimkat2.
This pearl of wisdom came from someone called @TSkeers “Once again Gal has shown what a low piece of shit he is.”
Lovely stuff from people who have clearly heard the audio of Gallen on Triple M.
You can’t blame the punters, especially when reporters on top-ranking morning television shows report that Gallen wants a new coach immediately and others are calling it a ‘Shark Park stoush’.
It’s just a shame that we thirst for players willing to speak up and tell us what they’re really thinking, then burn them at the cross when they do.
If anyone is allowed to speak their mind, especially on the current state of affairs at Cronulla, it’s their battle-weary captain. If only Gallen actually said something remotely scandalous, then we really would have something to talk about.
Albatross
Guest
What's most remarkable is that he conjured up more than just a lengthy "ummmmmm". Brains trust he ain't.
Charles NSW
Guest
You are not understanding what you wrote. You do not know what I know so how can you make an assumption of what I think is right or wrong. You would be surprised what I know on the subject!
All good
Guest
It us possible that my "assumptions"are right - it is your opinion that thinks they are wrong - like I said I have the research and experience to back my assumptions up just because they are assumptions does not mean they are wrong - also I said the majority that doesn't mean everybody- once again based on research and experience Please don't call my researched opinions wrong Thank you
Charles NSW
Guest
Most of you who don’t like it either haven’t yet managed, coached organised or been responsible for a group of individuals at any level so heres some insight to organisational behaviour. You are making assumptions so you are wrong!
Why Not
Guest
I appreciate the comments on time and place but as i have said Gal was just providing honest commentary and not releasing an official club statement or anything like that. Perhaps if the club had more leadership and direction gal would have been more mindful on his comments, but if the club had leadership and direction they wouldn't be where they are and Gal wouldn't find the need to say things as he does - see the chain reaction here? But as for being wrong and accusations - I think you need to take your own advice here - i never "accused" anybody or said anybody was wrong -like you have - - my opinion is more commentary on patterns in organisational behaviour.and staff psychology and that is all - You may have taken it as a personal attack on somebody, but that is your gripe not mine. ( Companies have also discovered this and spend vasts amounts of $ to find better ways to manage and motivate their staff because it has been factually realised that when left to their own devices organisational performance is diminished)- Take it personally if you like - but these are the factual realisations of most organisations. Hence the emphasis on a need for strong management and leadership. What I have said has really been realised by most organisations to be true - or maybe they are "wrong" and "accusing" as well, and should just be nicer people Even if it does send them broke, create unemployment (or in cronulla's case let them come last to the dismay of their supporters) So you can tell me that I am wrong if you like but there are a lot of people who may also just possibly agree with me - Are they wrong as well? For mind, Gal seems to have summed things up in his own way and given us insight into what most successful organisations spend millions discovering -Organisations require leadership and good management But of course hes just a thick headed footballer so what would he know.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
No one really respects wayne Bennett's son in law with his pretend lawyer look
jimmy
Guest
Lets look at it, Gal is a true BLUE and Sharks warrior who put in week in week out and to see people falling of tackle, not executing well in backline when the forwards are smashing there assess is frustrating. The backline against manly was pathetic. You have to be serious and earn your bloody money you are paid for. Gal is telling the truth so those who have critics, just don't mention Gal has been wrong. He came back from origin, crack down for more meters and tackles and seeing your team mates falling of tackle, chasing half heartly and not taking opportunities to pressure the opposition is really frustrating. The Team need to individually assess themselves and play better and be competitive. Gal is a tremendous worker and the rest need to put their head down and some have to bloody admit their lazy output.
Charles NSW
Guest
Time and place for everything and within the right channels. You are wrong to accuse people of not knowing or having managed people because they disagree with you.
Rabbits
Guest
Gallen is an honest, tough as nails character in our game. We should be paying this legend respect for speaking his mind and just being truthful. If you want bland, try listening to a Jared Warea-Hargreaves interview.
The eye
Guest
I'm also a Gal the player fan and Cronulla fan..but if a player has a bad one I'm into him.Similarly the coach,doubt anyone has given it to Sharpy harder than I have this past month on this forum and what Gal said is true and can be seen from the sideline.But Gal overstepped into a domain that is taboo to the players,the 'its not too late...'swipe was a virtual public execution of his own coach.I'd be very surprised if he hasnt driven a wedge thru the players ranks on this..the Suncorps game will be the litmus paper here..but whatever happens I wont be holding my breath waiting for JT to come out on the radio with a similar power rant about Paul Green.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
As a dinosaur, I feel Gallen should either have said nothing or if he wanted to comment then he should also have named the players he considered weren't pulling their weight. If he was speaking his mind, he shouldn't have made any distinction between players and coach. But having to run onto the field with these players probably so this as unnecessary.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
As far as ASADA and WADA, it is the players responsibility to make sure what he is taking is legal. End of story. They take they pay the penalty. I do agree that the ASADA meeting was a schemozle. The pollies used it to big note themselves. I think if ASADA had have had their way, the first anyone would have known of the investigation would have been when the infringement notices were issued.
JACK
Guest
Well said Sinclair I am 75 years old and not a Cronulla fan but would love gal in my team he gives 100% every game he plays, I rate him as one of the best forwards I have seen. JACK FROM QUEENSLAND
Why Not
Guest
Well Said I was just a general comment on how things are going at Cronulla to explain their performances. 1sdt and foremostly he is right in saying what he is saying. Most of you who don't like it either haven't yet managed, coached organised or been responsible for a group of individuals at any level so heres some insight to organisational behaviour. Most people (about 85% to be honest) are directionless in a group, - without guidance direction and leadership a group become impoverished individuals who are looking for an easier way to collect the paycheck. be lazy, bullshit or just attach ourselves to what others are doing., We all go to work everyday thinking we are geniuses without realising the infrastructure and support system is in place holding us together and giving the direction to ensure we do what we need to do on a daily basis to get the reward we are after (i.e salary, food recognition etc) Coming from a background that was taught to be resourceful and independent, I assumed that when it came to managing an elite playing or working group for the first time , the group would also contain similar attitudes from the individuals Pretty soon found out how wrong i was. I I expected the individuals to be able to manage their own input to be successful and for myself to just give a general direction on what was required. I found generally only 1 or two do initially who soon succumb to the attitudes and wishes of the majority) The group requires leadership, winning attitudes, competent coaching, discipline positive reinforcement etc etc etc (the list goes on- trust me)and somebody to hold them accountable. Ultimately this is the coach. . Without these inputs it is generally doomed to fail. NRL Players are not the self reliant, resourceful self determined statues of excellence with their own personal integrity towards performance that we all think they are, they are influenced by a system, held up by managers coaches administrators and other players Whats going for them is that they can play the game well as natural footballers or athletes, but need the support to maintain performance at the highest level - The other 15% of individuals in the game like Gallen who are a little more self determined seem to always carry the weight of others giving 110% each week because they are driven by an innate desire to be successful and are less dependant on a system, pecking order or external force to motivate them and require more general direction from the coach regarding their role in order to do their job well. Gallens Job is to captain the team and give the peer support, influence and experience to a playing group as an extension to the coaches directions and requirements, and adding a bit of their own know how, Ultimately (and somewhat unfortunately) it is the coach that wears the great burden of organising the talent nto a potent productive force. Unfair? - well to quote Brian Smith - "that is why we on the big bucks". This is no different in the corporate or business world where managers upon managers are held responsible for the output of their group Gallen's frustrations is that he wants to win and win today but in a team environment he cannot do it on his own. He is aware of the reality of a playing group that some players need a little more support to to stay on track, to play as they need to play in order to win, to focus on managing their injuries to get on the field etc It is not the captains job to discipline players, hold them accountable to performance or give them directions on how to be a better player for the team, but to be an extra influence on showing how its done. Ultimately it is the coach and this is what he is getting at. If the coach has no interest in assuming this role giving 110% then players will clock off, choose their own paths, leave injury management for another day, show late to training (not show or be sick) and soon the whole club is disjointed from each individual player doing what they want to do rather than what they need to do. And it is the coach that holds this all together. THE BEST PEOPLE DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO ......EVERYDAY...... WITHOUT EXCUSE IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE WHAT THEY WANT TO ACHIEVE and this comes from self discipline and finding a way to succeed - if its not there then someone else needs to influence or provide it to the grouo (its why we have managers) Good for Gal - Its a harsher truth, not many can handle it the 15% probably can ) he was making general commentary and didn' t have any agendas. - its good to hear once in while - for those that agree with what gallen is saying - all the support in your projects, for those who don't you have probably realised that your the type of person he is talking about and deep down you feel a little exposed. But you can prove him wrong tomorrow by showing up on time working a bit more productively, training a bit harder, supporting your teammates and doing this daily. - who knows what rewards this might yield for you -it will certainly show your not a schoolkid
Casper
Guest
after his elocution lessons to enable him to string a sentence together? You're easily pleased Squidward, do we need another commentator with a Sydney-centric philosophy? You've got enough dills in the Sydney media who don't realise the game is played outside NSW, don't need another drongo. Maybe you should check out a guy like Ben Ikin who has played the game & can actually speak in public without the standard "you know", "the boys" & "mate" in the conversation. I think Jack Gibson was actually taking the mick when he said "played hard, done good", he was a bit more eloquent than that but didn't like the media.
tezza
Guest
if gallen spoke his mind that should have only been 1 syllable
Steve b
Guest
Renegade
Guest
:)
Charles NSW
Guest
I do not think it is the right for players to voice their opinion to the media. If they have a complaint they should take it up with higher management. Once you let them talk to the media then you get all sorts of problems occur such as sabatoge in getting rid of a coach rightly or wrongly.
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
Well said.