Exactly.remember the doom and gloom around these parts probably only a year ago never mind two, contrast to the feeling now that the transition may not be nowhere near as bad as first thought and you can safely say a lot can happen in two years so i would not be put off Gallen one bit as long as he doesn't spend the majority of that two years in the treatment room.Thats the gamble to be weighed up i suppose.

The issue with Gallen isn't ability. It's attitude.

Will he fit into and be prepared to buy into the ethos of the club? The last thing you need is a player, however talented, who sets off a chain reaction of bad attitudes and sets a bad example to the young players coming through.

Gallen's attitude is my problem with him (ball-hogging is an issue but less of a concern). He's trying to carve out a place in the media post-playing days, which is fine, but he's incredibly arrogant. He helped destroy the Sharks caretaker coach last year by announcing midway through the season on radio that players would not respond to a coach that wouldn't be there for the long-term, and he's also claimed that every name player to join the Sharks has done so due to him personally. He's one of those people who thinks that heightened "honesty" (bluntness) is always good. The problem is some people can do it well, others come across as tools. He's in the latter camp.

From what I can gather he'd like to stay in the NRL. He's no doubt shopping around, and I suspect the main issue at his age is the length of his contract.

I found this post really interesting, as it highlights to me how important peoples perceptions are when forming an opinion, as I have almost the polar opposite opinion of Gallen - I'd say his honesty is absolutely one of the things that makes him such a champion player - his honesty towards the team and his own performances are what makes him train as hard as he does, put in a shift on match days like he does, recover from injuries and play injured like he does - what you can guarantee with Gallen is a whole hearted and honest performance. If he can get himself onto the pitch - which invariably he does, he'll put in a performance. Already this year he's played a game after zero sleep the night before as his new born daughter was in hospital with a serious illness, and he's played a game after being in hospital himself for the 2 days prior to the game with an infection. He sacrifices everything for the game and his team, whether it be NSW or Cronulla.

His professionalism and attitude towards training and the game in general is something that nearly every player in the world could learn from.

As for his media work - yeah he's straight down the line honest, and that will sometimes be a positive, sometimes a negative, but you'll always know where he stands. The thing with Peter Sharp again I have no problem with, Sharp had openly said he didn't want to be caretaker coach, and the Sharks were waiting for Flanagan to come back, all Gallen said was that the players weren't doing as they should and weren't listening to Sharp - he used an analogy of kids playing up when they have a substitute teacher. I think it was more a sig at his players attitudes and the whole ASADA situation.

For me, even at 33, Gallen would be an immense signing both on and off the field. He's not been as much of a ball hog recently, through clearly you don't get through the amount of work he does without demanding he ball often, but I don't think that's to the detriment of the team, he's the ultimate workhorse, with a bit of skill too.

Is Burrow likely to be signing another deal with Leeds for next year? At 33 and coming to the end of his current deal perhaps he might want a move to freshen things up and let a new generation come through???

They are not the highest earners at all. Peacock has been on a lower contract for his last two contracts signed, in order to have the longer term instead. Sinfields last contract was much reduced on his previous, and we have had the added benefit of part of his contract not counting on the cap due to the homegrown rule. Of course the Sinfield exemption will probably pass to someone else now.

According to third hand rumours, Watkins, Hall, and Ablett were the highest earners on our books last season.

kurt gidley to sign for super league in next 48 hours

[url=http://www.bridalcouture.co/images/bridal-couture-blog/Dally-M-Awards.jpgHope he brings his missus with him.[/url

Ding dong

I'm fairly certain Rapira is signing for Huddersfield guys.

Can he sign for Salford before Friday?

In other news, Lance Hohaia has just retired from Gidley's brother's old club.

Burrows has signed for Cas. Do keep up.

Maybe Maguire might fancy a change Tigs?

Given that Sinfield's off to Warrington, I can't see Leeds letting all three go at once.

Even with Willie Talau and Jonah Lomu coming in.

Don't forget Harris to sign for us now all the legal stuff is behind us

Like it. Bailey, Burrows & Maguire. The dream team.

When is Tonie Carroll coming back?

I have said it before but I think Gallen has all the hallmarks of a player who will fall off a cliff performance wise. Aging player with tough years on the clock, never the smartest or most skilfull but got a big rep for pushing himself further and harder with an outstanding expectatuons.

At best someone is going to end up with 2015 JP on 2009 JP money and expectations.

Super League is a step down in skill and intensity from NRL, so factor that in. would work in Gallen's favour.

I'm not saying he is a bad player but he always struck me as a player who over achieved compared to his skill. His ability was always to go a bit faster and harder for longer than others. His physicality and fitness levels are his advantages rather than say his skill or mind. Some players can work a bit smarter or rely on areas of skill to eke a bit more out of their career. Gallen strikes me as someone who will become very average very quickly. In terms of him coming from the NRL I don't think that will help too much. We don't struggle in the forwards and not many old Aussie forwards come over and impress any more

I think the number of Aussie forwards who come over & really impress has been remarkably few.

Gallen would be an immense signing. He is a current state of origin great! Very unlikely to come to super league in the next couple of years though. What are origin payments? $20000 a game? Who would give that up.

He'll form a good partnership with vainikolo

Gut feel is he would be a bit of a furner/glanville type signing. They were both great but sl at least looks from the stands as fast as ever. I don't think a player like that, on the money he would want is good value these days.

It's a no from me.