Although the Cronulla Sharks sat on the bottom of the 2009 NRL ladder after six rounds, Gallen was named in the preliminary 40-man squad for NSW for 2009's State of Origin series.
He was selected for Australia in the one-off test match against New Zealand on 8 May 2009.

In May 2009, Gallen attracted public outrage for racially abusing Mickey Paea.
The incident gained attention initially, due to the angry reaction of Paea, who is normally a quiet reserved player with strong religious beliefs.
After the event, there were reports Gallen would be stripped of his captaincy.
However, pre-empting this, on 1 June 2009, Gallen voluntarily stepped down from his Sharks captaincy.

In December 2009, Paul Gallen was issued with an infringement notice for urinating in public near the head of a drunken friend.
Although the Cronulla Sharks sat on the bottom of the 2009 NRL ladder after six rounds, Gallen was named in the preliminary 40-man squad for NSW for 2009's State of Origin series. He was selected for Australia in the one-off test match against New Zealand on 8 May 2009.
In May 2009, Gallen attracted public outrage for racially abusing Mickey Paea. The incident gained attention initially, due to the angry reaction of Paea, who is normally a quiet reserved player with strong religious beliefs. After the event, there were reports Gallen would be stripped of his captaincy. However, pre-empting this, on 1 June 2009, Gallen voluntarily stepped down from his Sharks captaincy.
In December 2009, Paul Gallen was issued with an infringement notice for urinating in public near the head of a drunken friend.
Paul Gallen