PAUL GALLEN says he is prepared to "suffer the consequences" for his latest on-field indiscretions but he's vowed not to surrender the Cronulla captaincy without a fight.

Gallen is under pressure to remain Sharks skipper after several lapses of discipline proved costly in Wednesday's Origin decider.

The NSW back-rower conceded three crucial penalties - for a late hit on kicker Johnathan Thurston, a high shot on Michael Crocker and for holding down in a tackle - to tip the momentum the Maroons' way.

The latest infringements prompted Sharks coach Ricky Stuart to reveal there was pressure from within to strip Gallen of the captaincy. However, the fiery forward is hoping to retain the "c" next to his name.

"I'm not going to give the captaincy up," Gallen told the Sun-Herald yesterday. "If it gets taken off me, it gets taken off me.

"It's something I enjoy doing and, as far as I'm concerned, I'm a leader down here in Cronulla.

"We're on top of the comp and we're not doing too bad."

Gallen was so concerned about his latest brain explosions he arranged a meeting with Sharks officials this week to discuss what he had to do to retain the captaincy.

While the nuggety forward's discipline is an issue, there's no questioning his commitment or will to win. He was rated the most annoying niggler in the Sun-Herald's recent players' poll, but placed equal fourth behind Carl Webb as the NRL's toughest player.

Now Sharks officials must decide whether he is capable of channelling his aggression without landing the club in further trouble.

The 26-year-old has a litany of offences on his rap sheet since taking the captaincy from halfback Brett Kimmorley at the start of the season.

He was suspended for raking the bandage off Gold Coast forward Anthony Laffranchi's face, an act which prompted Sydney Morning Herald columnist Paul Sheehan to label Gallen a "grub" and demand he be jailed.

In the same game, he was accused of grabbing Titans back Josh Graham's testicles. And the judiciary considered rubbing Gallen out of Origin III altogether after he slapped injured Eels forward Josh Cordoba, who appeared to be suffering concussion.

Despite these dramas, Gallen said he wouldn't be changing his game.

"No, I don't [mean to niggle] on the field, I just do what I do," Gallen said. "Stuff happens and I will suffer the consequences."

The Sharks are likely to persist with Gallen as skipper, although any further misdemeanours won't be tolerated. Working in his favour is the fact there is no logical replacement.

Kimmorley is in superb form but is leaving the club at the end of the season, while Luke Covell is a senior player but hasn't cemented a first-grade spot. Ben Ross could be a candidate but his future at Cronulla is a source of constant speculation, while Greg Bird will be sidelined for a month through injury.

Former Blues enforcer Mark Geyer, a hard nut who throughout his own career tip-toed the fine line between playing hard and losing control, backed Gallen to remain at the helm.

"I've got no qualms about him being the Sharks captain," Geyer said. "He suffered from a bit of frustration in that third Origin game.

"Apart from those three penalties, he was probably our best forward on the paddock.

"That's his conundrum - if he gets that penalty or two out of his game he'll be one of the best players in the game. Unfortunately, at the moment, he's carrying that baggage."

Geyer described Gallen as the type of player others wanted to play for and with.

"If you asked the Sharks players who they want to be their captain, I reckon the majority would say Paul Gallen," he said.

"He's a much maligned player and he needs to get a couple of things out of his game or they're the sort of things he'll be remembered for.

"Apart from some of his incidents, he comes across as the type of person you want to play with."