Gallen cops it for ‘unbelievably stupid’ outburst
RUGBY LEAGUE: Sharks great Mat Rogers has lashed Paul Gallen for his “unbelievably stupid” outburst as the fallout continues from Cronulla’s decision to allow star fullback Valentine Holmes to chase his NFL dream.
While Gallen has called on the NRL to consider life bans for players who break contracts to pursue another sport, Rogers applauded Cronulla chief executive Barry Russell yesterday for granting Holmes a release.
“I think Gal’s overreacted,” Rogers said after Cronulla’s co-captain accused Holmes of leaving the Sharks “in a big hole”.
“For someone who goes and cops money for fighting while he’s contracted, it’s unbelievable that he’d come out and say something so stupid. Oh mate, Gal, keep your mouth shut mate.”
Rogers acknowledged Gallen had the right to be disappointed, but felt it wasn’t panic stations yet for coach Shane Flanagan.
“Don’t forget they’ve got (Josh) Dugan there who’s been a pretty good fullback in his time, and (Matt) Moylan, as well as Josh Morris coming in,” Rogers said.
“So they can shift players around a little bit. I don’t think they’re in too bad a position, if they can stay healthy.”
Rogers believed the timing of Holmes’ departure, three days before the tryscoring freak was due to report back for 2019 pre-season training, would have hurt the Sharks most.
“It’s a bit disappointing the decision wasn’t made six months ago and they could have signed Benny Barba. I’m sure he would have come back in a heart- beat,” dual international Rogers said.
After having his contract terminated by the Sharks following his cocainefuelled grand final celebrations two years ago, Barba has returned from the English Super League to take up a oneseason deal in 2019 with the Cowboys.
“Maybe they bide their time and wait for Benny at the end of next year ... that’s probably the toughest situation, the timing, and probably where Gal’s frustrated and he’d be speaking, before he’s thinking, with too much emotion,” Rogers said.