Payne hangs up his boots CENTRE stage never did ag- ree with Aaron Payne, but Top Shark aims to North Queensland football manager Peter Parr reckons the unassuming hooker will be ranked up there with the Cowboys ‘‘rock stars’’ when he retires at season’s end. Payne, 29, announced yes- terday the 2012 NRL season play through pain would be his last, drawing the curtain on a 10-year ca- reer — all at the Cowboys. TALISMANIC skipper Paul Considered one of the best Gallen is straining at the rakes never to play State of leash to return for Cronulla, Origin, Payne still hoped to as the Sharks look to end an tick off another major goal alarming slump that’s before hanging up the boots threatening to kill off their — another grand final, finals aspirations. seven years after their ill- Gallen has not played in fated 2005 season decider. the NRL for almost two ‘‘There is nothing I would months, having damaged his love more than to finish my posterior cruciate knee liga- career with an elusive ment in May and sustaining grand final,’’ Payne said. an abdominal problem dur- ‘‘I know we have the ing State of Origin. team to be a threat in the The 30-year-old’s inclusion competition. in the team to face the ‘‘It is up to us to play to Warriors on Sunday cannot our potential.’’ come soon enough for Shane But Parr believed Payne Flanagan’s outfit, who’ve had already achieved slipped to seventh on the lad- enough to be regarded as a der on the back of three Cowboys’ great. straight losses. He said Payne was never Having looked a top-four going to take the limelight certainty for much of the away from ‘‘rock stars’’ year, the Sharks travel to such as Johnathan Thur- Auckland for a difficult en- ston and Matt Bowen but counter with the Warriors, the No. 9 more than held his who are clinging to the hope own on the big stage. of making the finals. His record speaks for it- The Sharks are three self — Payne’s 213 games to points clear of eighth-placed date trails only Bowen (244) Gold Coast and a win across on the club’s all-time list. the Tasman will go a long ‘‘His contribution to this way to securing a first finals club has been as good as berth in four years. anyone,’’ Parr said. Gallen has been told by a ‘‘He’s one of the club specialist he needs to spend greats.’’ at least another two weeks on the sidelines, but the back- rower says he’s had enough of the gym and will play Last of Lewis through the pain barrier. ‘‘I am playing Sunday, no at Panthers matter what,’’ Gallen said. ‘‘I am sick of sitting on the PENRITH star Luke Lewis sidelines. If I pull up sore to- may have played his last morrow or after the game, I game for the Panthers with don’t care. I am sick of the coach Ivan Cleary admitting gym, sick of being on a it’s too early to say if the in- bike. I just want to play jured veteran would line up some footy.’’ again this year. The NSW captain admits Lewis had surgery to re- he’s found it hard watching move a lump in his neck on on as the injury-hit Sharks Monday and the club is battle to rediscover the form awaiting the results of which led to six straight wins further tests. earlier this year. Cleary said he wasn’t sure ‘‘We don’t want the season if the 11-year club stalwart, to slip away,’’ he said. who will join Cronulla next ‘‘This game is a big game year, would play again in for us. But we’re only one or Panthers colours. two refereeing decisions ‘‘Not sure yet. He’s had away from sitting in surgery and at this stage fourth spot. we’re hopeful that he may ‘‘One win or loss can move be able to play a few weeks you two or three places up or down the track but it’s a bit down the ladder. But we’re too early to say just yet,’’ sitting here with five rounds Cleary said yesterday when to go. It’s in our hands. asked if Lewis was finished ‘‘It’s a tough road trip but at Penrith. we have to go over there and ‘‘We are still awaiting re- Paul Gallen will return to the field for Cronulla on Sunday, despite specialist medical reports saying he needs more time off get a win.’’ sults from a couple of tests, so that’s about all I can say at the moment.’’ Lewis had been complaining of neck pains Players want to give their view on Origin schedule for weeks before a biopsy revealed an abnormality in RUGBY league statesman chief John Grant and tele- can sit down together and billion-dollar television good solution that will factor his neck. Petero Civoniceva will meet vision officials to re-work find common ground,’’ rights deal will only be final- in extra recovery so the He’s missed Penrith’s past with the ARLC Commission Origin scheduling. Civoniceva said. ised in September. players can take the field at a two matches — wins over to find an urgent solution to While adamant it was not ‘‘With Origin, the intensity ‘‘As a playing group we level which produces really PUB: the Sydney Roosters and, State of Origin-induced an excuse for the recent poor goes up every year and that don’t want to be demanding good football.’’ NTNE-WS-3-A29KGE:MDA-TE: Y-C-CO-LO-R: ironically, Cronulla. player fatigue which the vet- form of the Brisbane affects the standard of play the Commission does this This year’s Origin series Penrith take on Mel- eran says is robbing fans of Broncos, the retiring prop (in NRL games). and that,’’ Civoniceva said. clearly had a detrimental af- bourne away tomorrow high quality football. said it was clear the increas- ‘‘We want to give the ‘‘John Grant has been fan- fect on clubs. afternoon. Civoniceva, general presid- ing intensity of Origin was players extra rest coming out tastic to the playing group so Since the Origin period be- There are five matches to ent of the Rugby League having a lasting effect. of Origin.’’ far and he’s been happy to gan, the Broncos have won go in the NRL regular Players’ Association, said ‘‘We are hopeful that with The NRL typically release hear our thoughts. just four of nine games. Dur- season with the Panthers when the NRL broadcast deal the Commission settled and the following season’s draw ‘‘I’m hopeful that if we all ing that same period, former out of the running to make was finalised he wanted to the broadcast rights deal in early November but it is sit down together we can ladder leaders Melbourne the finals. meet with Commission done, players and officials understood the game’s come up with a really Storm have won just three. www.ntnews.com.au Friday, August 3, 2012. NT NEWS. 29.