Paul Gallen opens up on year from hell

IN A remarkable interview, Paul Gallen has revealed he thought his NRL career was over and he doesn’t know how he pulled through 2014.

COFFS HARBOUR, AUSTRALIA - MAY 21: Paul Gallen poses during a New South Wales Blues State of Origin official team photo session at Novotel Coffs Harbour on May 21, 2014 in Coffs Harbour, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

LOOKING back, Paul Gallen describes 2014 as an “absolute yo-yo” with more downs than ups.

From the ongoing ASADA investigation to atweet slamming the NRL, to his Cronulla Sharks winning the wooden spoon it was a year of utter turmoil for the skipper.

But at the other end of the spectrum, Gallen led the NSW Blues to drought-breaking State of Origin series win over Queensland.

In a wide-ranging interview with Big League, Gallen has revealed just how low he got last season and how he thought his NRL career was over.

He also explained how the phone application WhatsApp got him through the hard times.

“I don’t know how I captained NSW and the Sharks, just in terms of the pressure and the fact my mindset was all over the place,” Gallen said, in a stunning admission.

“Looking back and reflecting on last season, I don’t know how I got through it. It’s like I just went into a shell and I was in survival mode.

“It was very hard. Last season pretty much summed up my career and life, because it was an absolute yo-yo.

“I had the high of Origin, which was an unbelievable feeling to tough it out for so many years and finally win a series. It was awesome. But then for ASADA and the tweet issue to happen, it’s hard to explain.

“To be honest, it has all just been a bit of blur the last couple of years. I’ve just had to bunker down and get through it, but it was mentally difficult.”

Gal had a lot of moments like this in 2014.

After the ASADA scandal, Gallen said he was concerned about returning to training with Cronulla.

“I wasn’t sure how the team would respond to me and to be honest there were times when I didn’t know how I was going to come back to footy. I was also worried about what my team-mates would think about me and if they would judge me.

“But they didn’t at all and the best thing about it was that nobody treated us any differently. I know I’ve been the face of it (ASADA) for the past couple of years, but there are a lot more people involved than the public knows.

“So when we all turned up, we all shook hands and we just got on with it. But at times last year I had doubts over my career and I never thought I’d be at training with Flanno (coach Shane Flanagan was suspended last season) away and almost coach the session with Mick Ennis.”

Gallen in action for the NRL All Stars last month.

Asked what it was that got him through all the setbacks, Gallen said his family was “unbelievable”.

“If I didn’t have my kids at home, I don’t think I would have got through. They kept me going and surviving.”

Gallen then spoke about his “really good group of friends away from footy” and the phone messaging service they use, which he said was a huge help.

“We’ve got a WhatsApp group together and we just spray each other every day. They are just normal blokes and they helped me through it,” Gallen said.

“Family and friends are everything. I remember my dad told me when I was little that you’ll be able to count the people that matter on one hand and that’s certainly true.”

Read the full Paul Gallen interview in Big League, on sale Thursday.

Originally published as Paul Gallen opens up on year from hell