Paul Gallen shoalhaven pub brawl: Witness reveals how scuffle unfolded, who instigated fight

A witness who was part of a scuffle involving Paul Gallen at a NSW south coast pub has revealed crucial details about how the incident came to pass.

Paul Gallen caught in NSW south coast pub brawl. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

A witness who was part of a scuffle involving Paul Gallen at a NSW south coast pub has stepped forward to declare the ex-Cronulla and NSW legend wasn’t the instigator.

The witness has also revealed Gallen was signing autographs and posing for photographs prior to the incident, which occurred at the Shoalhaven Hotel last Friday night.

Gallen has also provided a media statement to declare that he was “struck first” and that he “never threw a punch.’’

The former Test, NSW State of Origin and NRL forward, who is now a commentator with the Nine Network, was captured in a 90-second video grappling with a patron.

Gallen said he refrained from throwing a punch during the bar room melee.

“I was involved in an altercation at the Shoalhaven Hotel last Friday night,” the Nine statement from Gallen reads.

“The patrons were unknown to me or the group I was with.

“The video circulating online does not accurately depict the full set of circumstances which includes me being struck first.

“I didn’t throw a punch.

Paul Gallen works as an NRL commentator for Channel 9. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“I apologise to the owners of the hotel and the other patrons for the incident.”

Fellow Nine employee Mark Levy was also at the establishment and attempted to pacify the situation.

Levy could be heard saying: ‘Stop it. Enough, enough. Gal, stop’ as the former international is wrestled to the ground in front of astonished onlookers.

In a second video, Levy watches on as a bar staff member is seen wiping Gallen’s face with a cloth.

Someone in the pub then comments, “Thinks he’s mad”, before Gallen turns and charges towards the voice.

The former Sharks and Blues star appears to have a bloodied face in the video of the incident, which was obtained by The Daily Mail Australia.

Levy and Gallen are friends and work together on 2GB’s Continuous Call Team during the NRL season.

A witness told this masthead that Gallen was not the instigator of the incident.

“When he got to the pub he was taking photos and signing autographs and that sort of thing,” the witness said.

“Everyone loved him and then all of a sudden this happened. No-one was hurt, it was sorted out and everyone went their own way.

“There were no police, there was no drama. Everyone was back at the pub the next day. So there were no issues.

Gallen was one of rugby league’s biggest names as well as a prominent figure in the boxing community after fighting for the Australian heavyweight title.

He has since drawn the curtain on his boxing career.

Gallen was believed to be staying on the south coast.