Gallen in walkout saga

A week after he was fined for urinating in public, reports have emerged that Cronulla forward Paul Gallen is ready to quit the club.

Rumours that Gallen and his manager are in talks with Manly and Wests Tigers about a possible move from the Sharks have also surfaced.

Cronulla Chief Executive Richard Fisk however has admitted his surprise at the reports and says that Gallen is a large part of the Sutherland shire club’s plans.

In a statement issued to the media, Fisk said: “I am aware that Paul was disappointed to be fined for his most recent off-field indiscretion, but having spoken to him and his manager on several occasions I am surprised to read today’s story.”

“These discussions covered a variety of issues in relation to Paul’s on-going career at the Sharks and no official request for a release has been received by the club.”

Cronulla slapped Gallen with a $10,000 fine for his indiscretion earlier in the week, a penalty which followed another $10,000 punishment for a racial slur directed at St George forward Micky Paea earlier this year.

Manly have moved quickly to dampen specualation about a possible move for Gallen, but Brisbane coach Ivan Henjak has admitted publically that he would be interested in acquiring the 9-cap test forward.

“We’d be really interested in sitting down and having a talk with him,” Henjak told AAP yesterday.

“He’s the type of player who would fit into our forward pack.

“He’d certainly bring a bit of an aura and some presence with him.”