The win assured the Sharks of a week off before they play next Friday’s preliminary final in a huge boost for Gallen's recovery who admitted he was no chance of playing this week had Cronulla lost at the weekend.

Gallen pulled up sore after training last week which confined him to bed for four days.

He could not even travel to the National Capital to watch his side play.

The 35-year-old is now out of bed but is not fit to do anything more than pool work.

The injury is believed to be a result of back surgery he underwent 10 years ago for bulging discs.

 “It’s just a matter of time until that settles down now and no-one knows how long that will be,” he told Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast.

“They say they’ve seen things like this settle down in a week, two weeks and sometimes three weeks.

“It really depends on the individual and how I respond to treatment. “Hopefully next Tuesday or Wednesday I might move around.

 “It came off absolutely nothing. I wish I was moving house or mowing the lawn so I knew what it was.” The has missed seven games for the Sharks this season, including two matches last month where he was rested with a calf injury.”

Gallen has missed seven games for the Sharks in 2016 but wants to go around again next year.