PAUL Gallen was forced to take himself to hospital and placed on an intravenous drip less than 12 hours after Cronulla’s historic grand final victory.

Shock revelations of the Shark’s captain’s dramatic hospitalisation will only add to the folklore surrounding the club’s 50-year drought-breaking premiership win.

Gallen was unable to celebrate with his teammates on Monday after being floored by a viral infection.

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Paul Gallen was forced to take himself to hospital less than 12 hours after Cronulla’s grand final win. Source: AAP

Son Kody runs into the arms of hero dad after the game at ANZ Stadium, Sydney. Picture: Brett Costello Source: News Corp Australia

The illness is believed to be a byproduct of the medication Gallen was prescribed to aid the recovery of his back injury suffered three weeks ago, which reduced his immune system.

Coupled with the stress of leading the Sharks to their first-ever premiership, Gallen was struck by the illness during the Sharks’ 14-12 win over Melbourne at ANZ Stadium.

Renowned for his incredible stamina, Gallen managed just 25 minutes for his opening stint in the grand final, before returning again in the 47th minute.

Gallen holding the Premiership trophy plants a smacker on coach Shane Flanagan. Picture: AAP Image/Craig Golding Source: AAP

Gallen and Michael Ennis raise the trophy aloft. Picture AAP Image/Craig Golding Source: AAP

However, quite remarkably, Gallen punched out 164 metres — surpassing his season-average of 163-metres — from a total of 19 runs in 59 minutes on-field.

Gallen was an emotional wreck after the grand final siren, yet it seems nobody was aware of the physical toll the build-up of the past month, as he strived to become the Sharks’ first premiership-winning captain, had taken on his body.

“At the end I thought I was going to pass out,’’ Gallen said after the match.

Paul Gallen leads by example against the Storm, surpassing his season average for metres gained. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts Source: AAP

“It’s just an amazing feeling. We wanted it more than they did.’’

Gallen was admitted to hospital at 6.30am, before checking out to attend the Sharks fan day.

He was able to sign autographs and pose for photos for an army of fans who had gathered at Southern Cross Group Stadium to celebrate the historic victory on Monday, but quickly retreated back to his lounge room to rest at his home in Cronulla.

The remainder of his Cronulla teammates were planning to celebrate long and hard on Monday night.

Gallen leads the celebrations in the rooms after victory before taking himself to hospital. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

Gallen was also the first player to leave the players, team officials and family function at the Sharkies Leagues Club, following the premiership win.

Eager to be part of Mal Meninga’s Four Nations Australian squad which is named on Tuesday, Gallen told Sharks officials he would prefer to regain full health than risk further illness by celebrating the club’s inaugural NRL title.

Paul Gallen is all smiles at the Sharks fan day. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

Paul Gallen and Luke Lewis show off the trophy at the Sharks fan day. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

Party scenes: A day to remember for fans and players alike. Picture: Adam Yip/ The Australian Source: News Corp Australia

Man of the match in the Kangaroos’ Anzac Test victory over New Zealand earlier this year, Gallen is hoping that Meninga’s dressing room promise to stick with the same successful 17 that toppled the Kiwis for the Four Nations comes to fruition.

However, with injury and finals form uncertainty over Test incumbents Matt Scott, James Tamou, Josh McGuire and Sam Thaiday, there could be changes. Having conquered his final frontier by collecting a premiership-ring with Cronulla, Gallen would be considered unlucky not to be chosen.

Gallen chats to try-scoring hero Andrew Fifita. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia