Aaron Woods believes Paul Gallen still has the hunger and competitiveness to offer plenty on and off the field as the veteran Cronulla skipper weighs up playing another NRL season.
A former NSW State of Origin teammate of Gallen, Woods has been impressed by what he's seen from the 37-year-old since arriving at the club mid-season from Canterbury.
"I'd love for him to go around again, He's unreal to be around," Woods told Big Sports Breakfast on Wednesday.
"We train every day and he's got the desire. He's got the hunger. He's always the first one (there). He competes no matter what."
Gallen is set to sit down with Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan this week to decide whether to extend his career into a record 19th season.
A final decision will likely be made by Sunday week in order to allow the Sharks to give Gallen a fitting farewell in their final home game of the season against Newcastle if he does hang up the boots.
Since his NRL debut in 2001, Gallen has run the ball for a staggering 50,938 metres - an average of 159m per game - with 6034 hit ups.
But fellow forward Woods believes the stats don't do his on-field influence justice.
"People just see the stats but there's the little things he does behind the scenes as well," Woods said.
"His kick pressures, just the little efforts in the game, they're phenomenal.
"For a bloke of his age, you wouldn't think (he'd) come up with that."
Gallen's consummate professionalism could also be useful to keep around a little longer for the next generation of Sharks stars, Woods said.
"He's so good for the young boys to see how players prepare for games," he said.
"We've got a few physios down there that do spend a bit of time on Gazza. He goes in on days off. He just prepares his body well.
"He's an absolute professional."
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