Now that he has hung up the boots in the State of Origin arena, Paul Gallen is one of the NSW greats.
Carry after carry, tackle after tackle; the man they call “Gal” never stopped, and made his mark in 2011 with an inspirational 80-minute performance in the front row to help the VB Blues to an 18-8 victory.
At 34-years-old during the 2016 series, Gallen remarkably still possessed the workhorse abilities in both attack and defence, and led from the front.
He ran the ball for 322 metres throughout the series, set up a Tyson Frizell try, made another linebreak assist, and completed 91 tackles.
His retirement leaves a hole within the VB Blues camp, and whoever replaces him as captain has massive shoes to fill.
Paul Gallen
Origins: 24
2016 Matches: 3 (Game I, II and III)
Metres Gained: 322m
Tackles: 91
