The 2017 season will mark the 35-year-old’s 18th in the NRL.

Gallen said he was pleased to now fully concentrate on Friday night’s grand-final qualifier with the Cowboys.

Gallen signed his first contract with the Sharks as a teenager back in 1999, debuting in the NRL with the club in 2001.

He has gone on to play 277 first grade games with the club while also representing the Kangaroos and captaining NSW.

Gallen has declared himself a certain starter for the Cowboys clash after recovering from the back injury that saw him miss the club’s week one finals victory over the Raiders.