Paul Gallen to be the most experience player to feature in his first NRL grand final

AFTER 278 first grade games, Paul Gallen is a rookie again. He will become the most experienced player to feature in a decider for the first time.

AFTER 278 first grade games, Paul Gallen is a rookie again.

The Cronulla captain should be used to rewriting the record books after 16 years in the NRL.

On Sunday, Gallen will set another mark when he becomes the most experienced player to feature in a decider for the first time.

That honour currently rests with former Parramatta halfback Jason Taylor, who played 275 games for Western Suburbs, North Sydney and the Eels before contesting in the 2001 decider.

“We have had moments over the last 15 years where we’ve had opportunities to make the grand final,” Gallen said.

“In 2008, that was a big one. Early on in 2001, 2002, 2013 we had a chance but we never made the most of those opportunities. This year we have made the most of them, so far.”

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Gallen, Chas never been closer to the Provan-Summons Trophy.

As well as being the most experienced debutant, the 35-year-old will become the oldest player to captain a grand final side since Ken Kearney led St George to a 31-6 victory over Eastern Suburbs in front of 53,156 fans at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Sharks coach Shane Flanagan said Sunday’s clash with Melbourne was just reward for his captain’s career of sacrifice.

“I am just glad he’s going to play in a grand final and hopefully win one,” Flanagan said. “He has been around for 16 years in the forwards. He has been so durable and looks after himself really well. An amazing effort for someone to play that many games in the middle.”

Two years after finishing with the dreaded wooden spoon as the ASADA scandal wreaked havoc in the Shire, Gallen is revelling in the Sharks’ tenacity to turn around their fortunes.

Enjoying the moment with his son after the preliminary final. Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.

“We’ve earned this,” Gallen said. “It’s where we deserve to be.

“I’m not treating it like anything else other than what we deserve.

“Not me personally, I’m talking about the team. We started training last November to be here. You assemble a squad over a couple of years. This club isn’t a Melbourne Storm, Sydney Roosters or teams like that which manage to have a fairly good roster every year.”

And despite the grand final fever that has gripped the Cronulla region, Gallen isn’t overawed by the hype, having dealt with the pressure of leading NSW into Origin battle against Queensland year after year.

“I’m not feeling like it’s a dream come true or anything other than what it is — an important game of football,” Gallen said.

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“I’m just taking the week as it comes. I’m not over-joyous. I just feel like it’s where we deserve to be.

“I know I haven’t played in a grand final before but I have played in every other games and this is the best way I’ve found to approach things, to enjoy the week and soak up all the attention you get. It’s not ideal at times, you just want to live a normal week but you’ve got every man and his dog calling you.

“But you’ve just got to take it as it comes and not let it get to you. That’s the way I am trying to handle it.

“For me, it’s about preparation, I know if I prepare well, I will play well. It’s that simple. My game has been simplified so much over the past few years because of guys like Jimmy Maloney and Michel Ennis. I’ve just got to go out and do my job.

“This is different to Origin. Origin is like a season in six weeks where you’ve got to really bond quickly with guys, get to know them and want to play for them. These are blokes (at Cronulla) that you actually spend more time with than your family.”

Asked would victory be his greatest rugby league moment, Gallen said: “It’s hard to say. I will let you know Sunday.”

Originally published as Paul Gallen to be the most experience player to feature in his first NRL grand final