PAUL Gallen has thrown a bucket of fuel on the fire raging between the Shire and the nation’s capital.

The fuse was lit when Cronulla veteran Michael Ennis taunted the Canberra crowd at GIO Stadium last week following the Sharks’ qualifying final win.

Ennis performed his own version of the “Viking clap”, seemingly mocking the Raiders faithful.

Ennis has since come under fire from Raiders coach Ricky Stuart and other rugby league commentators.

Round 20

But Gallen was quick to stand up for his teammate, and took a big swipe at the Canberra fans in the process.

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“Let me tell you Canberra is the most daunting place, the most disrespectful place to go to as a player,” Gallen told Triple M’s Rush Hour.

“It’s worse than Queensland. I have never been sprayed more than I’ve been sprayed when I go to Canberra.

Cronulla's Paul Gallen in action. Source: News Corp Australia

“I can’t believe no one asked me about it in the press conference, because I couldn’t wait to go down there and get clapped.

“Normally I’m getting spat at or booed.”

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DOGS STAFF TO BE SHAKEN UP

Canterbury is set to shake-up its coaching staff, according to Fox Sports’ chief NRL reporter James Hooper.

Hooper told NRL Tonight Canterburty coach Des Hasler is safe in his role at Belmore, but some people around him might not be.

“Des is safe ... there’s been all sort of talk over the last 48 hours that Ivan Cleary is coming in and Des is going to be torpedoed, (but) don’t believe a word of it,” Hooper said.

“Des, provided he wants to be at Canterbury will be the head coach there next season.

“But in terms of the contract extension we’ve heard Ralene Castle talking about since May, I think that’s still very much on hold for now.

“There was a board meeting held last week ... there’s another due next week, that’s a leagues club board meeting.

“I think we’re going to see a significant shake-up in terms of off-field staff, and the people around Des for 2017.”

PONGA KNOCKS BACK COWBOYS OFFER

Teenager star Kalyn Ponga has reportedly knocked back a contract extension at North Queensland.

Courier Mail reporter Peter Badel told NRL Tonight the teenager has rejected an offer from the Cowboys and will test his value heading into the 2018 season.

“He’s currently contracted to the end of 2017, the Cowboys want to keep him for the long term, they see him as a 10-year player,” Badel said.

“He isn’t ready to commit just yet, he will test his value on the open market.”

ORFORD OPENS UP ON STROKE

Retired NRL player Matt Orford has opened up on the stroke which has seen him hospitalised for six weeks.

Orford explained to Channel Nine just how the stroke came about while he was in hospital recovering from hip surgery.

“I lost speech, I lost all movement,” Orford said.

“It felt like I had a block in my arm and I couldn’t actually move, my whole right side went paralysed.

“The whole ICU unit ran down, there would have been a dozen people in the bathroom trying to get me sorted out.”

Orford says he now regrets playing through numerous injuries — including head knocks — during his rugby league career.

“You feel that you’ve got to push through those pain barriers ... but you've got to be able to put that aside and think of the future.” he said.

“Every single injury that I’ve had has taken its toll long-term.”

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