CRONULLA'S dramatic year has taken another twist with Sharks and NSW captain Paul Gallen now fending for himself and fighting the NRL's $50,000 fine and possible Test match suspension.
The embarrassing fallout from the NRL's decision to heavily fine Gallen deepened on Wednesday, with judiciary chairman Paul Conlon resigning and NSWRL chairman George Peponis issued with a "please explain" for supporting the Blues captain.
This follows his expletive-containing social media outburst slamming the NRL after the Sharks made football chief executive Steve Noyce redundant.
It read in part, Steve Noice [sic] actually cared about players from Cronulla's feelings, suggesting the NRL's attitude was different.
He later apologised via Instagram.
Sharks management supports the NRL punishment, which Gallen plans to appeal and the possible Test match ban for Australia against New Zealand next year.
In August Gallen was among five current Sharks players who accepted backdated suspensions by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority for unwittingly taking banned substances. Their suspensions end November 23.
Gallen said he tried to contact NRL boss David Smith to apologise.
Noyce was made redundant last week and Sharks leagues club general manager Marcelo Veloz appointed caretaker chief executive.
Sharks chairman Damian Keogh said the football club board would meet with Gallen in the next few days.
"There will be no further action taken by our club against Paul," Keogh said.
Keogh said the Sharks were hunting for a new person for the role of group chief executive to run the football, leagues clubs and residential and development business.
"The important thing is to find the right person and I wouldd expect to have someone in place before the end of the year," he said.
Keogh said former NRL head of strategy and investment Shane Mattiske had been employed by the Sharks in a temporary role.
"Shane is looking at our future strategy and where we are headed," Keogh said.
Suspended Sharks coach Shane Flanagan is expected back at work on Friday for the 2015 pre-season players orientation day.
Should Paul Gallen appeal his NRL fine/do you think it's too severe?
