NRL: Gallen gives Sharks bite

Cronulla Sharks captain Paul Gallen in action against the Panthers. Photo / Getty Images

Panthers14
Sharks15

Cronulla Sharks captain Paul Gallen continued to push his case to be considered the leading player in the game with another inspirational showing in last night's win over the Panthers in Penrith.

Cowboys and Australian test star Johnathan Thurston, rated by many as the premier player in the NRL, nominated Gallen as the competition's best after seeing him first-hand last weekend and the workaholic back-rower followed that display up with another huge effort last night to see the Sharks move into the top eight with the 15-14 win in searing heat in Sydney's west.

Gallen contributed 21 runs for 233 metres and made 19 tackles and rates alongside Billy Slater from the Melbourne Storm as the player to have had the biggest impact over the opening month of the season but the hero of the night for the Sharks was new recruit Todd Carney.

Carney hit a long-range field goal late in the piece to hand victory to the Sharks.

After dropping their first two games of the season the Sharks have now won three on the trot and are starting to look like a genuine force in 2012.

They look a lot better on attack in 2012 with hooker Isaac de Gois giving the side direction and former Dally M player of the year Carney acting as chief playmaker.

Their forward pack has always been a strong one but now they have the firepower to create problems for opposition defences.

Panthers skipper Luke Lewis brought up his 200th career first grade game - all for the Panthers - but his side failed to help him celebrate the milestone with a win.

The back-rower, who started his career on the wing or in the centres, worked tirelessly for the home side. He made a massive 56 tackles and carried the ball for 136 metres.

Kiwis second rower Jeremy Smith put his hand up ahead of the fast-approaching one-off test against Australia with a strong showing. He produced a nice touch of hand to put Jason Bukuya in for the opening try and generally worked hard all night.

Tries either side of halftime and then another to fullback Lachlan Coote with 20 minutes to play saw the home side hit the front but Carney booted a penalty to level the scores 10 minutes from time.

The former Raider and Rooster then nailed a perfectly-timed field goal from 40 metres out in the 73rd minute to provide the match-winner and ensured the Sharks would finish the round inside the top eight.

Panthers 14 (B. Austin, M. Jennings, L. Coote tries, L. Walsh goal), Sharks 15 (J. Bukuya, W. Graham tries, T. Carney 3 goals, Carney field goal). Halftime: Sharks 12-4.