Rat blasts Gallen over Val move

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 yesterday applauded Cronulla chief executive Barry Russell for granting Holmes a release.

“I think Gal’s overreacted,” the former Sharks and Titans star said after Cronulla’s cocaptain 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. Gal, keep your mouth shut.”

Rogers said 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.”