NSW Blues captain Paul Gallen has become the first active footballer to be nominated for the Frownlow Medal Hall of Fame.
Captain Courageous earned his nomination following a string of off-field achievements which began when he left Wentworthville Magpies and continued during his stellar career with the Cronulla Sharks, NSW and the Kangaroos.
The Frownlow Medal is awarded to the player whose off field demeanour epitomises the values of the modern day footballer and draws attention to the status of footballers as role models to young Australians. It covers Australia’s four major football codes; the National Rugby League (NRL), Australian Football League (AFL), the A-League (Football) and Rugby Union’s Super Rugby competition. The first medal was awarded to Sydney Roosters and New Zealand representative Shaun Kenny-Dowall in 2015. The Frownlow Medal Hall of Fame honours former players who receive media attention for similarly scandalous behaviour and its inductees include Ben Cousins and Todd Carney.
“This is Gold. huge honour, it’s like a golden shower of luck raining down on me”, he tweeted.
“Back in Origin, ready to destroy QLD and nominated for Frownlow. Huge”
During the ceremony at Northies, Cronulla, it was also announced that Gallen would take up a position as a social media trainer and mentor to young players once he finally hangs up his boots, as well as being a consultant with Australians Against Racism.
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