He started the year playing fullback for the Sharks at the World Club Challenge, slotted into the centres when needed, however it was the right wing partnering Jack Bird where Gerard Beale excelled in 2017.
Appeared to be getting stronger as the season progressed, Beale cemented his spot in the Sharks run-on side after often playing off the bench in the premiership winning season of 2016.
Highly regarded at the Sharks, with that respect reciprocated by the Kiwis who consistently call on Beale as they did for the Anzac Test mid-year, and as always he delivered a tradesmen-like performance despite New Zealand being on the wrong end of the score line.
Set to move on at season’s end, Beale’s professionalism and versatility will be missed, however he gave his all in three years at the Sharks and all concerned wish his well with his future endeavours.
Season highlight: It came at a time of the year where the Sharks certainly needed it, and at a crucial stage in the match, with Beale’s standout moment coming in his teams’ narrow 9-8 victory over the Bulldogs. Playing in the centres during the Origin period, Beale ran onto a well-timed pass on or around the halfway line, hit a hole and took off down field. Fifty metres later, with the chasers unable to reel him in, Beale had scored the Sharks only try on the night as they escaped with a valuable two competition points.
2017 Stats: Gerard Beale
Games played: 21
Tries: 7
Runs: 238
Run Metres: 2315
Dummy half runs: 26
Kick return metres: 334
Line breaks: 7
