Yesterday reports surfaced that a possible bronze statue of Paul Gallen will be created for the new ANZ Stadium precinct after he captained NSW to a doubt breaking Origin victory.
Let me just say I am 100% behind the idea of immortalising the NSW and Sharks captain, but I’d place the statue outside Remondis Stadium.
Make no mistake, despite barbs of Gal’s focus being more on Origin than the Sharks this season, the man is a club legend, and by far the most revered player in the Shire.
For years, the man widely regarded as the best forward in the game, carried the Sharks on his back. Cronulla have won more games on the back of 200+ metres and 30+ tackles from their captain than I can recall.
I was certain the old Southern, now Monty Porter, stand was built with the intention of naming after the great man.
I understand the argument for planting a statue at ANZ Stadium. It was a huge moment that took place in the stadium. It ranks up there with the Socceroos qualifying for the World Cup, which will see John Aloisi surely immortalised also.
There however, can be no argument that Gal’s name will go down in history at the Sharks.
Count Melbourne Out…If You Dare
Those who vocally declared Melbourne’s title aspirations dead and buried due to Slater and Smith’s quiet Origin series, are now sweating just that little bit after the Storm, led by their two superstars, turned in a massive performance against the Eels.
Any side that contains two future immortals, as well as the injured Cooper Cronk, while being leaded by Craig Bellamy, is tough to discount at any time.
With their big win over the resurgent Eels, the Storm have sent a quiet reminder of just what they are capable of. With only two more Origin affected rounds coming up, watch for the Storm to make their move.
Bennett’s Legacy On The Line?
Statistics printed yesterday indicate Wayne Benner is the worst coach in Newcastle’s proud history.
Will one bad season have a lasting affect on his amazing legacy?
Questions are being asked as to whether Bennett’s success is down to having stacked rosters rather than his coaching ability.
The fact he was able to guide a Dragons side the a halves pairing of the solid but unspectacular Ben Horny and Jamie Soward surely proves his credentials.
Peter Sharpe On A Hiding To Nothing
Rumours are swirling that interim coach of the Cronulla Sharks, Peter Sharpe will be removed from his position in the coming days. These come on the back of comments made by Paul Gallen yesterday on Triple M.
It must be taken into account that Sharp never wanted the job and only took it after being asked by the club.
Simply put, the club should never have put Sharp in the position he now finds himself in, and they must take responsibility or the triple being dished up.
That being said, how Sharp can justify continuously picking Blake Ayshford is absolutely astonishing.
Ayshford is not the only Sharks player under performing, but his performance against the Eagles may very well rate in the top ten stinkers ever seen at Shark Park.
If Steve Matai hadn’t fallen over twice, and wasn’t suffering from a severe case of the dropsides, Manly very well may have avenged the 68-6 flogging they copped a few seasons back at the hands of the Sharks.
Teams are targeting Ayshford and are scoring at will.
On the down side, punters will lose their easy first try scorer options after loading up on left sided players all season.
