This was published 7 years ago
I want Wade Graham to be Cronulla Sharks co-captain, says Paul Gallen
By Adrian Proszenko
Paul Gallen has revealed he is keen to share the Cronulla captaincy with Wade Graham next year in a move that could have leadership implications for the State of Origin arena.
Gallen will take on Canberra prop Junior Paulo in a charity boxing night at the Hordern Pavilion on December 9 in a promotion that will also feature former Eel Chris Sandow. Sandow is yet to lock in an opponent, but called out former Shark Todd Carney as the man he wanted to face in his boxing debut.
Fighting fit: Sharks captain Paul Gallen and Canberra's Junior Paulo after their weigh in for a charity boxing match.Credit: Ryan Stuart
Gallen has scheduled two fights within three weeks, viewed as stepping stones to a much-anticipated bout with cross-code star Sonny Bill Williams. It is part of his preparations for his final season in the NRL after admitting he contemplated retirement following Cronulla's maiden premiership.
Gallen will resume the captaincy, but is keen for senior teammate Graham to share the duties in 2017.
Job share: Paul Gallen, right, would be happy to share the Sharks captaincy with Wade Graham.Credit: Kirk Gilmour
"I wouldn't mind if we did a co-captaincy next year," Gallen said at the official announcement of the fight at Sydney watering hole Scruffy Murphy's.
"That's up to [coach Shane] Flanagan. It wouldn't hurt my ego, that's for sure. I've done everything I can do now and I would be quite happy to share it with him next year.
"I'll talk to Flanno about it. If Flanno thinks it's a good fit for the club and works for the club, I'm more than happy to do that."
Gallen has been the long-term skipper for the Blues and his decision to retire from the interstate arena will leave a leadership void. The veteran forward said Graham would be a worthy successor at club and state level.
Fight night: Chris Sandow, Paul Gallen and Junior Paulo will take part in a charity boxing night on December 9.Credit: Ryan Stuart
"I'm pushing my mate's barrow but Wade Graham is a terrific captain," Gallen said.
"Whether he's in the Origin side when everyone is fully fit [remains to be seen]. Boyd Cordner would do a terrific job, he's a great leader. Either one of them. Josh Jackson is one I earmarked for this year, I watched him in camp. I better throw Woodsey [Aaron Woods] in there too.
"They play 80 minutes. That's the one thing I found this year being captain. Every year I've been captain, if I didn't play 80 minutes, I played 70-75 minutes. This year they played me like a real front rower. You really don't feel like a captain if you're on the field for 40-45 minutes, 50 minutes at the most.
"That's the reason I like the back-rowers rather than a front-rower, because the front-rower only plays about 50 minutes in Origin."
Paulo, one of the most destructive props in the NRL, will go into the fight with a significant weight advantage over Gallen. The format – three two-minute rounds – is also likely tofavour the former Eel.
Gallen admitted he was interested in luring Paulo to the Shire when he was being squeezed out of Parramatta for salary cap reasons, but could instead witness him take his place at Origin level.
"I'm standing here now, I look at him, and he's a man mountain," Gallen said.
Asked if he was scared going into the boxing ring, the 35-year-old said: "Everyone who says they don't is lying to you.
"No doubt, there is fear there. There is fear in everything, playing footy, you go out there and practise what you do.
"When I get on the field or the ring, I just do what I do. I'm confident in what I do there but there's no doubt about it, you always have a fear – fear of failure, fear in the ring of being knocked out in front of everyone when you're on. There's always fear."
Sandow is contracted to English club Warrington for another season but remained hopeful of having another crack at the NRL in the future.
"I'd love to come back and finish in the NRL," Sandow said.
"All my family and friends could come out and support me in one big bunch."