Cronulla Sharks captain Paul Gallen has launched a foul-mouthed tirade on Twitter following the redundancy of club chief executive Steve Noyce. Noyce was let go as part of a new management structure announced on Wednesday, a move that angered Gallen, who is currently serving a backdated 12-month drugs ban.
Holidaying in Hawaii with Sydney Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce, Gallen tweeted: “Steve Noice [sic] actually cared about players from cronulla’s feelings. Couldn’t say that about any other cunt from Nrl.” The post was later deleted. He then posted a photo on Instagram with the caption: “4 drinks for $5 RSA. OMG no wonder I’m hung. Good times. Time to fly home.”
Noyce joined the Sharks as football manager in April last year before becoming chief executive. He steered the club through the turmoil of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority's investigation into the club's 2011 supplements program, which concluded in August with Gallen and three teammates accepting doping bans.
NRL chief executive Dave Smith said the governing body was looking into Gallen's conduct. “I haven’t seen the comments, but we have a clear process for those sorts of things,” Smith said. “We will have a look at the code of conduct, we will have a look at the comments and we will take a view from there.”
Smith denied any simmering resentment over the NRL's handling of the Asada investigation and said the NRL played no role in Noyce's departure. “It had absolutely nothing to do with me,” he said. “It’s part and parcel of their cultural change and I support any cultural change if they are trying to make the team strong.”
