Gallen needs to keep his cool
By Daniel Pace
December 20, 2007
NSW STATE of Origin forward Paul Gallen admits he must change his attitude towards referees after being named Cronulla captain.
Gallen, 26, will lead the Sharks in the 2008 NRL season after halfback Brett Kimmorley decided to hand over the captaincy reins to concentrate on his own game.
After coach Ricky Stuart informed Gallen of the decision, the aggressive back-rower immediately sought out Kimmorley, who told his Sharks team-mate that as a leader he needed to keep his cool with referees.
“When I spoke to Noddy, he brought it up with me,'' Gallen said.
“He said you have to learn to get on with the referees, not blow up at them and work with them.
“I admire the job they do but on the field everything's going 100 miles an hour and all you want to do is win.
“It's pretty easy circumstances for a blow-up but I just have to learn to get along with them more.
“It doesn't have to change the fact that I'm aggressive and competitive on the field, I just have to change my attitude towards referees a little bit.
“I think I'm a pretty good leader off the field - I have a good relationship with all the players, from the youngest to the oldest guy.
“On the field I have to learn to develop a relationship with the referee.''
Gallen assumed the captaincy role at the back-end of the 2007 season after Kimmorley underwent a knee operation following an injury he sustained in Origin III.
“While I know I've still got plenty to offer the team, I thought it best that I worry about myself and my own footy rather than also dealing with the responsibility of the captaincy,'' Kimmorley said.
“If I can work towards getting back to my best by doing that, I think the team will certainly benefit.
“Gal did a great job while I was on the sideline last year. I'm sure he'll do well in the role again next season and I'll be giving him my 100 per cent support.''
Stuart praised Kimmorley's unselfishness in handing the captaincy to Gallen.
“Brett's decision is obviously one he has made for what he believes is in the best interests of the team,'' Stuart said.
“He sees the importance of personally having a big season himself in 2008 and I fully support him in the decision he has made.''
Kimmorley had an off-season operation to repair wrist ligament damage but he should be fit for the start of the 2008 season.
Gallen was named in the Australian squad for the one-off Test against New Zealand on October 14 but withdrew to undergo a right shoulder operation.
He said the shoulder was close to full strength but he wouldn't be doing any contact work until after Christmas.
The Sharks have wound up their pre-Christmas training and will return on January 7.
AAP
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