Paul Gallen factor sees Luke Lewis head to Cronulla

THE opportunity of being captained by champion forward Paul Gallen led Lewis to sign a four-year deal with Cronulla worth $1.8 million.

Luke Lewis and Paul Gallen

LUKE Lewis admits he had several choices.

There was the big money on offer at Parramatta, the chance to play with Benji Marshall at Wests Tigers or be coached by Wayne Bennett at Newcastle.

He admitted the decision "rattled" him.

In the end, however, it was the opportunity of being captained by champion forward Paul Gallen that led Lewis to sign a four-year deal with Cronulla worth $1.8 million.

Speaking exclusively with The Daily Telegraph yesterday, Lewis said: "Gal is a legend of the game. He was a massive reason I signed.

"He is one of the best skippers I have been led by and he's someone I want to be led by for the rest of my career.

"Gal is not only a great mate but I want to play alongside him. I guess inspiration is the word that stands out. I want to learn as much as I can from him.

"Of all the players I have played alongside, Gal is one of the most professional blokes I have hung out with."

Lewis, 28, has struggled over the past few months.

He wanted to leave Penrith in a civilised way and was desperately uncomfortable with the media spotlight around his future.

At one point, he did not sleep for 24 hours.

Quite often, he was awake and talking to friends and mentors until 2am.

Luke Lewis and Paul Gallen

Yesterday though, Lewis was relaxed as he and his wife Sonia reflected on a turbulent fortnight.

"I am absolutely stoked now - I am just glad it has all come to an end, all the contract negotiations," Lewis said.

"The whole thing has been tough. I have been rattled.

"But now I just want to be the player the Sharks players want to play with.

"To be honest, I just want to enjoy my footy and go and do something I love.

"I want to try and earn the respect of the Cronulla players. I'm really excited that I'm going there.

"I really respect the captain, coach and the players. It is a big challenge and I'm looking forward to it.

"Hopefully the move will make me a better player. I want to do everything right for the club," Lewis said.

"I guess I just wanted to get to the finished product.

I was overwhelmed by the interest from the other clubs and the way they conducted themselves."

After 11 seasons at Penrith, Lewis will look unusual in blue, white and black.

Many believed he would finish his career at the Panthers - but he knew his time at Penrith had finished.

"It will be different in a Cronulla jumper," Lewis said.

"I have never experienced a different jumper before. I have only worn the Panthers jersey.

"But my favourite colour is blue. I have respect for Gal but I have respect for all the Sharks players, staff and roster," he said.

"I am close mates with Wade Graham. There is an age difference but he was on my bridal party.

"Todd Carney is also there ... the list goes on."

Lewis and Sonia continue to hunt for real estate in the Shire and are excited about their new life together.

"I have got a lot of stuff to sort out," he said.

"It will be a big move for myself and Sonia - a whole new lifestyle change. But these are exciting times.

"For now though I just want to put in for Penrith for the rest of this season.

"I'm 100 per cent committed to them. I want to finish on as higher note as possible."

Lewis also rejected speculation that he did not want to join Parramatta because of coach Steve Kearney - who was sacked yesterday - and the club's coaching director Chris Anderson.

"I have never had a problem with Steve or Chris," Lewis said.