Paul Gallen’s explosive book Heart and Soul has fired plenty of shots, and like the G-Train in the boxing ring it has seldom missed.

The former Sharks skipper has teed off at ASADA, calling the anti-doping authority “demeaning” and “amateurish”.

While Gallen’s issues with ASADA are well known, he also chose to take aim at another old foe in the Newcastle Knights.

Stream the 2019 Oceania Cup Live & On-Demand on KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14 day free trial and start streaming instantly >

Round 20

The ex-Australian international won the premiership with Cronulla in 2016, and it was in that season the Knights finished bottom.

So when the two sides met in Round 10, the outcome was almost set in stone.

The big question was, by how many?

MORE NRL NEWS

SIGNING SPREE: Five Eels re-sign as Jennings and Matterson mull over offers

BORING: Legend slams Bennett for ‘squeezing any enjoyment out of the game’

FARCE: Week-to-week eligibility changes do nothing to help rugby league

Knights players look dejected during the round 10 NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and the Cronulla Sharks Source: Getty Images

Gallen labelled that Nathan Brown-coached side “the worst first-grade team I ever faced in my entire career” as the Sharks wracked up a 62-0 scoreline.

He added: “I remember playing for Australia against minnow teams such as the United States, and the Knights were even worse than them.

“I only played about 30 minutes in our huge win over Newcastle, as my knee was still giving me grief … from the sidelines I could see that, although the opposition was vastly inferior, we showed little mercy.

“I felt sorry for the Newcastle boys that day. After the game, I walked onto the field to shake hands, and it felt like I was grabbing the hands of kids.

MORE NRL NEWS

RED WARNING: League must act now. Otherwise Tonga’s rise will go to waste

SIX AGAIN: Canberra were robbed, but the NRL says the Roosters were dudded

BIGGER THAN THE GF WIN: Emotional Taumalolo hails Tonga’s historic win

“I didn’t even know most of their names. It wasn’t their fault.”

Gallen has long held a dim view of the Knights.

In 2017 he said: “In my opinion, Newcastle are two or three years away from being a consistent top eight side.

“As for winning competitions, well, I just can’t see that happening for a long, long time.”

The Knights have not made the finals since 2013, and finished 11th last season after the exit of Nathan Brown.