Paul Gallen reveals how close he came to joining the Sea Eagles

RUGBY League warrior Paul Gallen is a Cronulla Sharks legend and now he has revealed just close he came to signing with the Sea Eagles and was “as good as gone”.

Cronulla's Paul Gallen in his last game with Manly's Jake Trbojevic during the NRL Elimination Final match between the Sea Eagles and the Sharks at Lottoland. Picture. Phil Hillyard

RUGBY League warrior Paul Gallen has revealed how close he came to joining the Sea Eagles and playing 13 seasons on the northern beaches.

“If it weren’t for Ricky Stuart, I would have signed with the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in 2007 and most likely finished my career on the peninsula, I was as good as gone,” he said in his explosive new tell-all autobiography Paul Gallen Heart and Soul (Allen and Unwin).

It all started after a disastrous end to the 2006 season at Gallen’s club Cronulla which culminated in the sacking of coach Stuart Raper.

Manly's Addin Fonua-Blake tackled by Cronulla's Paul Gallen during the NRL Elimination Final match between the two sides at Lottoland. Picture. Phil Hillyard

“I didn’t see the offer from Manly coming at all,” Gallen said in the book written with leading sports journalist David Riccio.

. “Until that phone call from an influential member of the Sea Eagles’ hierarchy, I had no intention of leaving the Sharks.

“The offer was worth double what I stood to earn in 2007 at Cronulla,” Gallen said.

“Manly’s rich history of premiership wins and their strong culture of success was something I couldn’t ignore.

“I had always had a huge amount of respect for the tough brand of footy the Sea Eagles played and the ruthless attitude they always exuded.

“I simply couldn’t disregard the approach.”

Paul Gallen has opened up in his new autobiography how close he came to joining the Sea Eagles. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

STICKY SITUATION

BUT then along came Stuart, who was deciding whether to take over as Sharks coach in 2007.

After a 25-minute phone call between the pair Gallen was impressed by Stuart’s intensity and focus on winning and agreed to remain at Cronulla for that season.

But Gallen said Manly made it abundantly clear they weren’t done chasing him and their three-year deal for 2008, 2009 and 2010 was worth $300,000 more than the Sharks offer.

Ricky Stuart masterminded Paul Gallen remaining at Cronulla,. Picture: AAP.

He was also in regular contact with Sea Eagles recruitment manager Noel Cleal.

“On numerous occasions, I would hang up the phone ready and willing to sign on the dotted line,” Gallen said.

At one final meeting with Stuart, Gallen’s manager David Riolo asked what it would mean for Gallen’s representative career if he signed with Manly.

“Ricky replied without batting an eyelid, ‘There wouldn’t be a representative career’. I could tell he wasn’t joking,” Gallen wrote.

A few days later he ended up signing a new four-year deal to stay in the Shire.

Outgoing Manly Marlins rugby president Anthony Bergelin.. Picture: Adam Ward

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE

AFTER three years playing political football, Anthony Bergelin stepped down as president of the Manly Marlins at the club’s AGM on Thursday.

“It’s been a wonderful experience helping to grow the game with such a vibrant community,” he said.

“The club is in great shape.

“Our supporter base has grown over the past three years and there has been a 50 per cent increase in participation from our colts and Mermaids programs..

“I’m looking forward to supporting the boys and girls next season already.”

Former NSW Waratahs forward and Manly first grade captain Cameron Douglas takes over as the new president.

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