Luke O'Donnell
Interesting numbers.
CRONULLA's representative lock Paul Gallen last night revealed Nathan Hindmarsh was the inspiration behind his decision to pass up $300,000 to finish his career as a one-club player.
Gallen, 25, finally settled his future by agreeing to a $1.1 million, four-year deal to keep him at the Sharks until 2011.
The Daily Telegraph understands Manly offered Gallen up to $1.4 million to quit Toyota Park.
Gallen, off contract at the end of this season, will officially sign his new deal tomorrow. When his new contract expires, Gallen will be 30 – and a ten year player at one club.
Three weeks ago, Hindmarsh signed a new deal because he wanted to stay an Eel for life. Gallen was impressed.
"What Nathan Hindmarsh did made me realise how important it was to stay loyal with one club," Gallen said.
"He wanted to win a premiership at Parramatta and I want to do the same at Cronulla.
"Nathan could have gone somewhere else but he stayed loyal to Parramatta.
"I want to do the same.
"You'd be remembered for your whole life here in Cronulla if you were part of that first-ever premiership.
"Manly's was a great offer and very tempting but I wanted to stay at the one club. That is something special to me.
"And my old man (Garry) also wanted me to stay at the Sharks."
Gallen's manager David Riolo confirmed the Sea Eagles offer was lucrative and tempting.
"I don't think Paul ever really wanted to leave," Riolo said.
"Manly was an option and a very positive option and they put forward a very lucrative offer.
"Paul wanted to make sure he made the right decision and examined every option but just couldn't see himself playing anywhere else."
But Manly coach Des Hasler denied his club had ever made a concrete offer to Gallen.
"We were interested but didn't make an official offer," Hasler said.
"It didn't get that far down the track. He will be a 10 year player there at Cronulla. Congratulations to the Sharks and good on him for staying.
"If we did make an offer it would only have been at market value but as I said, it never got to that stage.
"We were buzzing around but it was always going to be hard to get him out of there – he's a Cronulla boy through and through."
Sharks coach Ricky Stuart was delighted Gallen had been retained.
"Paul rejected a huge offer from Manly to stay and he stayed for less, which is a great sign," Stuart said.
"He is a big part of our plans here for the future."
