Paul Gallen speaks out after Cronulla Sharks legend resigns from NRL role after 12 months

NRL legend Paul Gallen has opened up after stepping down from his role as a director at the Cronulla Sharks after just 12 months. The 44-year-old, who played 348 games for the Sharks, joined the club's board last year.

But he revealed to The Daily Telegraph on Saturday that he's quit the role due to the demands. Gallen was juggling the director role with his commitments in the club's football department and as a commentator and analyst for Channel 9.

As well as being part of the broadcast for multiple games per week, he's also a regular panellist on '100% Footy' on Monday nights. "The board wasn't exactly what I thought it'd be," Gallen said.

"Now I know how much work goes into it, especially at a club like ours where the directors are really hands-on with management. Those guys do such an amazing job and we're extremely lucky to have them. I'll continue to help with the football side of it."

The club's chairman Steve Mace said he Gallen will still be part of the Sharks and help out in other ways - namely with recruitment, retention and operational structures. "We were fortunate to have Gal involved (on the board)," Mace said.

"As I said when he joined the board, when Paul puts his mind to something, he's successful well beyond the sporting arena. He's decided his passion is working directly with the football program, and we fully support that. He'll continue to be an important part of the club."

Paul Gallen absent from State of Origin coverage

It comes after Gallen was missing from Nine's coverage of the State of Origin decider last Wednesday night. The former NSW captain, who played 24 games for the Blues, has been a mainstay on the Origin TV coverage for the last few years.

But he wasn't sighted on Wednesday night and didn't take part in the coverage. According to The Daily Telegraph he was in Brisbane for the game and did some corporate gigs at Suncorp Stadium.

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