Paul Gallen Fires A Warning Shot At His Future Teammate

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Paul Gallen and Josh Dugan Photos: Getty Images

Cronulla captain Paul Gallen has cautioned Josh Dugan about the importance of buying into the Sharks' rebuilt team culture when he arrives in the Shire next NRL season.

Having been criticised over his afternoon at the pub on a day off during NSW Origin camp, Dugan has come under fresh scrutiny after being dropped by St George Illawarra for last Sunday's crucial win over Penrith for missing the team bus.

The incumbent Australian centre is moving to the Sharks next year on a lucrative four-year deal, and Gallen expects his former Origin teammate to aim up.

"I'm certainly happy we're signing him," Gallen said on Sky Sports.

"Without a doubt, he's a great player and you talk about fitting into a culture and fitting into a club, well he's just going to have to.

"I think he'll learn that when he gets here and sees the way we train in the pre-season, sees the attitude in the team meeting, how everyone buys in and puts into what we're doing."

If he didn't, Gallen predicted life could get difficult for the 27-year-old.

"I'm not going to say he won't play, but it's going to be a long few years for him - because you've got to come and fit into a team and come in and fit into a culture," he said.

"We've turned ours around the past three or four years from things we've been through in the past.

"We've got a real strong work ethic here now and I think he'll come in and fit in fine.

"As I said, if he doesn't, it's going to be a real long time for him and that's just the way it is."

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