Paul Gallen’s moment of pure brilliance as Sharks win NRL grand final

WE’VE all loved and loathed Paul Gallen for his bash-and-barge style of football, but this was a moment of pure brilliance from Cronulla’s skipper.

WE’VE all loved and loathed Paul Gallen for his bash-and-barge style of football, but this was a moment of pure brilliance from Cronulla’s skipper.

It’s the 17th minute, the Sharks deep in attack and Gallen delivers a perfectly timed inside ball from the scrum base for Ben Barba to score.

It was old-school skill at its best and certainly not what we’re used to seeing from the veteran forward.

This game, though, was different to any other for Gallen. Sure, lifting the Origin shield in 2014 for NSW was a career highlight.

So, too, his multiple Test appearances for Australia. But winning Cronulla’s maiden title after 50 long years? Well, that’s another story altogether.

Sharks skipper Paul Gallen celebrates with coach Shane Flanagan. Picture: Brett Costello

It’s why Gallen not only grinded and grafted, but came up with a big play on the game’s biggest stage.

You see, taking the premiership trophy home to the Shire means everything to “Gal”.

From starting out as a “little-known’’ Sharks replacement in his debut season in 2001 through to the struggles of injury and the ASADA scandal, Gallen has bled black, white and blue no matter the circumstances.

These challenges have conditioned the veteran Shark to keep fighting no matter the setback.

At a packed ANZ Stadium, Gallen received the ultimate reward for his resilience.

Ben Barba scores the opening try for the Sharks off Paul Gallen’s pass. Picture: Mark Evans

But he wasn’t the only Shark to step up. Star centre Jack Bird bravely played through pain for the majority of the match.

Bird reeled away from a tackle in the 19th minute after horribly hyperextending his right arm. Bird rejoined the defensive line the next set with his arm heavily strapped.

But he refused to leave the field and finished the match despite being in obvious ­discomfort.

For a large portion of the match, the Sharks were the walking wounded.

Replacement forward Jayson Bukuya was knocked unconscious while trying to tackle Kevin Proctor midway through the second half and left the field.

Jack Bird played through the pain of an arm injury. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Winger Sosaia Feki also injured his leg and spent most of the second half on the interchange bench.

You could have forgiven the Sharks for giving up, but not on this night.

Not on this most historic occasion.

It’s why Cronulla found another gear in the second half when Storm were on top.

Harold Holt, you can turn the porch light off — the Sharks are finally premiers.