EXCLUSIVE
Police have finally completed their investigation into a pub brawl involving footballer-turned-boxer Paul Gallen, six months after the Daily Mail Australia published footage of the wild brawl.
Gallen was filmed being held down by up to four men at once during a late-night confrontation on October 28 last year at the Shoalhaven Heads Hotel on the NSW South Coast. South.
Police were not called to the hotel at the time, but two days after the Daily Mail Australia published the footage, they announced an investigation had been launched.
The investigation by officers from South Coast Police District has now concluded and no charges have been laid against anyone.
“The police investigation into an altercation at Shoalhaven Heads on Saturday October 28, 2023 has been finalized,” a police spokeswoman said.
Police have completed their investigation into a pub brawl involving Paul Gallen after the Daily Mail Australia published footage of the wild brawl. In one video, a staff member cleaned Gallen’s face with a cloth before turning around when a customer made a cheeky comment (above)
When the Daily Mail Australia first asked Gallen about the incident four days after it was captured on a phone camera, the 42-year-old former NRL hardman said replied: “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Hours later, Gallen released a statement admitting he had been involved in an “altercation” after being punched first and denying throwing punches “in retaliation.”
The State of Origin legend and premiership-winning captain Cronulla left Australia the following day with his wife and four children for a planned overseas holiday.
Gallen, now an NRL commentator on Nine TV and radio, had gone to the pub – known locally as The Heads – with fellow 2GB colleague Mark Levy.
Levy could be heard in the background of footage of the fight shouting: “Stop it. Enough enough. Gal, stop” as a group of men struggled to contain Gallen and shocked drinkers looked on.
When Daily Mail Australia first asked Gallen about the incident, the former NRL hardman, 42, replied: “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He is pictured with his wife Anne
The pair had arrived together at the pub where witnesses said the retired footballer played pool in the beer garden and took to the dance floor.
There is no suggestion that Gallen or Levy – who regularly replaces Ray Hadley on his 2GB morning show – did anything wrong.
Multiple sources said Gallen was bleeding from his face after being punched.
One video began with Gallen being detained by three men. In the background, a worried Levy could be heard pleading: “Enough. Enough, enough, enough. Stop that. Enough. Enough. Girl, stop.
As a fight unfolded in the hotel, another voice said, “Get out of there now” before Gallen fell to the ground.
A customer could be heard saying, “He’s bleeding everywhere” as Gallen stood up. Another voice said, “Get out of here.”
Two men then pushed a man in an undershirt away from the fray and Levy appeared and said, “No more, Gal.” No more. No more. No more. Stop.’
In a second video, a staff member was shown cleaning Gallen’s face with a cloth, as Levy looked on.
Gallen appeared five days after the fight, showing evidence of injuries, including a mark over his right eye (above).
Hotel management refused to comment on the fight.
In Gallen’s statement after the footage was released, he said: “I was involved in an altercation with guests at the Shoalhaven Heads Hotel last Friday evening.”
“The customers were unknown to me or the group I was with. The video circulating online does not accurately depict the full circumstances in which I was first struck.
“While I did not throw any punches in retaliation, I apologize to the hotel owners and other guests for the incident.”
Five days after the incident, Gallen was seen outside his $4 million home overlooking Gunnamatta Bay in Sydney’s south, showing signs of injuries, including an injury to his right eye.
The rugby league workhorse also had marks on his forehead and right cheek and abrasions on his left elbow.
Gallen played 19 first-grade seasons with Cronulla and captained the Sharks to the club’s first premiership in 2016.
He appeared 24 times for NSW and captained the team to the 2014 State of Origin series, which broke Queensland’s eight-game winning streak.
For much of his interstate playing career, Gallen was seen by Maroons fans – who he once referred to as “two-headed” – as their number one enemy.
Gallen began boxing in 2012 and won 15 of 18 fights as a heavyweight, including victories over Lucas Browne and Mark Hunt.
He retired from the NRL in 2018 as the game’s oldest player and has since been employed by Nine on programs including the Sunday Footy Show, Sport Sunday and 100% Footy.
Levy, who has been with 2GB since 2007, hosts the station’s evening show Wide World of Sports Monday to Friday and rugby league show Continu Call Team on weekends alongside Gallen.
