Paul Gallen is set to join the elite ranks of one club, 300 game NRL players when he signs on with Cronulla for one final year in 2017.
Gallen has retired from State of Origin football but revealed on Thursday he will play one more season, his 17th, of first grade in 2017.
At the launch of the Sydney Darts Masters at Star City, Gallen said he was keen on finalising the one-year deal before the start of the NRL finals so he can focus on the Sharks push for a maiden premiership.
"At club level I want to do that," Gallen said.
"At Origin level I have had my time there but I really enjoy my club football and I wouldn't mind playing on, we just have to nut that out."
Gallen, 34, who has played 274 first game games, had previously indicated he would make a decision on playing in on in 2017 after he finished his Origin career with NSW.
He said on Thursday, his manager David Riolo was deep in discussions with Cronulla management about a contract extension.
The former NSW skipper said it was "very important" to get the deal done before the finals and was hopeful it would be finalised over the next week.
The new contract means Gallen will likely join Andrew Ettingshausen as a 300-game, one club player with the Sharks.
Gallen's Cronulla teammate Wade Graham welcomed the news.
"For me he is still doing the job at a high level, he is competing every week," Graham told AAP.
"He has been great for the club the whole year and no doubt he will be if he does one more year."
Darren Lockyer , Corey Parker (both Brisbane), Nathan Hindmarsh (Parramatta), Cameron Smith (Melbourne), Jason Croker (Canberra), Hazem El Masri (Canterbury), Cliff Lyons (Manly) Anthony Minichiello and Luke Ricketson (both Sydney Roosters) are the other players to have played 300 games at one club.
