Footy great Paul Gallen opens up about rumour he charged his teammates $10 to go to barbecues at his house: 'Now I'm charging $50'
Footy legend Paul Gallen has laughed off rumours he charged his former NRL teammates $10 to attend barbecues at his house, cheekily declaring he would actually ask for $50 per player.
It was in response to a wild allegation from Sonny Bill Williams, with the high-profile pair to settle their differences in the ring on July 16 in Sydney.
Williams, a retired cross-code footy superstar, also accused Sharks great Gallen of dodging drug testers during his career at an explosive press conference last month.
Gallen was typically blunt when discussing the rumour with former Cronulla teammate Beau Ryan and fellow retired footy player Aaron Woods.
'That's not something I need to answer,' Gallen said on Triple M Breakfast with Beau & Woodsy on Thursday.
'I mean, honestly, I've never had a barbecue at my house for starters. I've had boys back for a drink on a Mad Monday, which you (Ryan) were there, and then Christmas.
Gallen was typically blunt when discussing the barbecue rumour with former Cronulla teammate Beau Ryan and fellow retired footy player Aaron Woods
'The only reason I remember that Christmas drinks is the young (Cronulla) boys got in a blue afterwards. And you guys have been there. Did I charge you to come to my house?'
Ryan responded: 'No, you didn't.'
Gallen also confirmed a host of footy identities will have to open their wallets if he host a victory party at his pad post his bout with Williams.
'I won't be charging 10 bucks. If I'm charging football players to come to my house, it's $50 minimum,' he quipped.
'Do you know how much food and alcohol you drink? That's the thing. 10 bucks, you let 20 blokes in my house, charging 10 bucks, that's $200.
'Sonny, what the hell is $200 going to do for 20 football players?
'It wouldn't buy three cartons of drink you idiot. Like, honestly, put a figure in that's realistic.'
Bookmakers have Williams, 39, as a slight favourite ahead of the bout, which doesn't bother Gallen in the slightest.
'Imagine if this 'little man' beats him,' the one-time NSW Blues Origin captain said.
'He's said it himself - he's a better boxer, he's bigger, he's faster, he's stronger - this came out of his own mouth.
'So imagine I beat him, how embarrassing for him.'
Gallen also labelled 'SBW' an 'ignorant p**ck' and a 'piece of s**t' - and firmly believes Williams is 'rattled' ahead of their fight next month.
'I've never questioned his integrity before now,' he said. 'He also wanted eight, two-minute rounds....that is what amateurs fight.
'He knows my engine is good....he knows he can't beat me over three minute rounds.
'Sonny is also fighting me one month out from my 44th birthday....he is stacking everything in his favour.
'He's been given everything his whole life....he is full of crap, he has been paid well and earnt millions...he just carries on like an ignorant pr**k.'
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