What’s the Buzz: Brad Fittler calls on NRL not to give Paul Gallen the Origin medal named in his honour
The Sunday Telegraph
August 23, 2014 9:59PM
RUGBY league legend Brad Fittler has called on the NRL not to give Paul Gallen the Origin medal this year that is named in his honour.
The Sharks skipper Paul Gallen was in line for two major player awards before reluctantly accepting his heavily discounted ASADA ban on Friday.
The triumphant Blues State of Origin skipper was favourite to win the Dally M representative player of the year and the Brad Fittler Medal for best NSW performer in the 2-1 series win.
“There is a system the league will go through to determine if Paul is eligible to win the award,” Fittler said.
“In my opinion, given the circumstances that he is suspended, he should be ineligible to win the medal. That’s all I want to say.”
This is the first sign from a football legend that the Cronulla players are to be treated as outcasts.
Both of the game’s most prestigious awards will be handed out before the grand final.
Officials were reluctant to comment when asked where Gallen stands.
The Dally M rules state: “The game acknowledges that a player found guilty of a doping offence may be stripped of any award or be ruled ineligible to receive any award subject to the determination of the NRL.”
NRL spokesman Peter Grimshaw told us: “We haven’t considered that yet.”
Gallen is out of contention for any other Dally M individual award because players are deducted three points for every week they are suspended.
NSW Origin coach Laurie Daley was reluctant to comment when asked about Gallen’s Fittler Medal situation although it is known he is privately supporting his skipper.
He rang and spoke to Gallen on Friday, not long after the ASADA suspensions were handed down. NSWRL chief executive Dave Trodden did not return calls. Nor did Fittler.
Under the terms of the ASADA suspensions, the 2011 Cronulla players are banned from any involvement with the game or their current clubs until November 21.
Whether that includes the Dally M presentation is likely to be decided by NRL CEO Dave Smith and Daily Telegraph editor Paul Whittaker.
In the Test match against New Zealand Gallen made 161 metres from just 66 minutes and was the best forward on the field.
Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens says Gallen will be sorely missed in the upcoming Four Nations series.
“Gal’s always an automatic selection,” Sheens said,” He’s going to leave a big hole to fill.”
