Gallen has NRL edge despite age: Taumalolo

North Queensland enforcer Jason Taumalolo says Cronulla veteran Paul Gallen has the edge on him despite his age ahead of their NRL elimination final.

Jason Taumalolo of the Cowboys

Cowboy Jason Taumalolo says Cronulla NRL veteran Paul Gallen has the edge on him despite his age. (AAP)

Not bad for an old timer.

In a cheeky dig at Paul Gallen, North Queensland enforcer Jason Taumalolo says the veteran Cronulla skipper has the edge on him "despite his age", ahead of Sunday's NRL elimination final at Allianz Stadium.

Taumalolo on Thursday admitted not everything about Gallen's career appealed to him in a nod to the Sharks' supplements saga.

But the Kiwi international still hoped one day to emulate Gallen's on-field achievements, saying he was still the NRL's benchmark forward even though he would turn 37 next week.

"The way he has been showing us young boys how to play ... he has been excellent this year for them despite his age," Taumalolo said.

"It would be nice to have a career as long and successful as his.

"There are probably a couple of things I wouldn't want to have (supplements saga).

"But in saying that, Gal has dedicated himself to his craft for a while and that's what has made him one of the best players in the game.

"You can't take that away from him."

In what looms as the NRL's unstoppable force meeting the immovable object, Taumalolo will line up against Gallen, hoping to add the prop to his long list of season scalps.

Taumalolo has run the most metres (4243m) this year and is averaging the most per game - a staggering 192.9m - this season.

Yet Taumalolo believed Gallen still had the wood on him.

"Definitely - he has played in the NRL for a while now and nothing beats experience," he said.

"And the fact they played us in the finals and ended our campaign last year, I think Gal has definitely got the edge."

Taumalolo famously was almost talked into signing with Cronulla by Gallen at the 2014 All Stars game, believing at the time the prop was nearing retirement.

But Taumalolo said he honestly did not know when Gallen would hang up the boots judging by his 2017 form.

Gallen's 280m in last round's win over Newcastle was the second most of his career, trailing only a 290m effort in 2011 against Gold Coast.

He trails only Taumalolo in most total metres (4136m) this season.

"I reckon Gal could go another 10 years the way he has been playing," Taumalolo said.


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Source: AAP



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