Cronulla Sharks warhorse Paul Gallen joins an illustrious club this weekend when the veteran lock brings up his 300th NRL game against Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.

It hasn’t all been smooth sailing for Gallen or his beloved Sharks which he wasn’t to proud to admit.

“You come into first grade as a 20-year-old thinking that’s going to happen every year and all of a sudden it’s 2003 and we know the history of the club from then onwards,” Gallen said.

“There’s been some pretty tough times.”

The Sharks captain also had a message for the younger players in his squad.

“When you get the opportunity in a good side, you’ve got to make the most of it. That’s the message I’m delivering to these guys at the moment,” Gallen said.

“We’ve got an opportunity to do something special. We’ve got a good side at a club like ours, we go through these stages where you’ve got to make the most of it.

“And this year is one of them.”

The Sharks would have to do something no side has done since the Broncos in 1997 and 1998 if they are to defend their crown.