Paul Gallen to quit State of Origin after the 2016 series

NSW SKIPPER Paul Gallen — one of the toughest players ever to represent NSW — has revealed he will quit State of Origin after this year’s series.

NSW Captain Paul Gallen, NRL State of Origin launch at ANZ Stadium, Homebush . Picture Craig Greenhill

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OUR leader and inspiration is leaving us.

NSW skipper Paul Gallen — one of the toughest players ever to represent NSW — has revealed he will quit State of Origin after this year’s series.

Gallen dropped the bombshell at Tuesday’s launch for this year’s Origin series.

NSW captain Paul Gallen will quit Origin after the 2016 series.

He wants to walk away from Origin as a winner this year, with NSW having two games at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.

It means Gallen, who will return from a knee injury for Cronulla this Saturday against Wests Tigers, may play next season only for his beloved Sharks.

“This will be my last Origin series — I haven’t said that before,” Gallen said.

“This will be my last series as a player so it means a lot to me. There’s no doubt about that. I haven’t told Laurie (Daley) yet. I’ll go and tell him after this (interview).

“This is my last year on contract (at Cronulla) and I haven’t decided whether I will play next year or not. If I am lucky enough to go around again next year it will just be for Cronulla.

“I’m getting on a bit and I have to understand that. I still feel that as long as I am playing good enough, I am the best person for the position.

Paul Gallen’s career in pictures

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“Hopefully there will be a younger bloke come up to knock on my door and get rid of me. I don’t want to not play because I’m not good enough — I don’t want to play because there is someone better than me in my position.

“I don’t think anyone is jumping out of the box just yet but they have to start. Two games in NSW and an opportunity to rectify what happened last year (a 2-1 series loss) and finish on a high. I have had some great times. I just want one more great time and hopefully finish with a win.”

Gallen said he reached the decision after sustaining a knee injury during round one and “probably thought it was time to give it one more crack and then move on’’.

Gallen, who will turn 35 in August, has played 21 Origin games, winning eight times between 2006 and 2015. He has also led NSW in 13 matches.

Gallen and Laurie Daley celebrate after victory in the 2014 series.

Asked how he would like to be remembered as an Origin player, Gallen said: “Unfortunately I am not going to be seen as having the success others have had because, unfortunately NSW’s (lack of) success.

“There is a reason why Queensland hate me so much and that’s because I do my job on the field and I will always be proud that I put my best foot forward for anyone team I play for.

“I think I will be remembered as a good, tough Origin player and hopefully I can go out on a high.”

Gallen said hooker Robbie Farah would be an ideal captaincy replacement but conceded the Wests Tigers champion hooker “was in his early 30s as well. I don’t know how much longer he has got left.”

Blues coach Laurie Daley wants NSW to send Gallen out on a winning note this year.

“Gal has been an inspiration for NSW, a great leader and great mentor,’’ the coach said. “He’s been a big part of our team for many years and we know he’s certainly got another great series left in him.’’

Daley (NSW) and rival coach Kevin Walters attended the launch at ANZ Stadium, as did Gallen and Maroons skipper Cam Smith. Gallen said having two games in Sydney was a major advantage for NSW.

“It’s huge, massive,’’ Gallen said. “For me, it will be great and great for the whole of NSW. To be able to pack this place out, get Blatchy’s Blues here, to get 82,000, 83,000 fans here for two games would be a big plus for us.”