Paul Gallen is Cronulla’s greatest ever Shark according to Head Coach Shane Flanagan.

Gallen will play on in 2018 and will retire as a 37-year-old after leading Cronulla to their emotional maiden NRL premiership in 2016.

“For me, he’s the best player the club’s ever had and the club’s had some great players,” Flanagan said.

“ET (Andrew Ettingshausen), (Greg) Pierce, Gavin Miller and so on.

“But for Gal to play in that position through this era, he has been fantastic.

“There’s been some tough times as well and he’s led from the front week in and week out. He’s just shown what an athlete he is.

“He’s No.2 on the metres carried (this season) and we’re lucky to have him.”