He doesn't like admitting it, but NRL ironman Paul Gallen says he desperately needs a rest.

The Cronulla and NSW captain, whose 80-minute feat in his first game as a front-rower for the Blues in State of Origin II has become the stuff of legend, finally conceded after the Sharks' 26-12 win over Canberra on Saturday he'd had too much football in 2011.

It came after Gallen sent a scare into the Sharks camp by leaving the field late in the first half at Toyota Stadium and heading straight up the tunnel with a shoulder injury.

He returned to play most of the second 40 minutes, but says the "burner" he suffered had worried him.

"I just lost feeling in my shoulder and my whole arm," he said.

"I was a bit worried until I got off the field ... it just took about 10 minutes to get it going again.

"My neck's sore, my whole body's sore to be honest.

"I need a rest,eh? It's the first time I've ever admitted I need to have a rest.

"I've just played too much footy ... it's catching up with me."

With Cronulla in the middle of a revival that has resulted in four straight wins, coach Shane Flanagan is even talking about giving his courageous skipper a breather if the good form continues.

It won't be next week, though, when the Sharks play what is shaping as a huge derby with St George Illawarra, who they beat 16-10 in round two.

"I'm sure he'll have four or five days off this week and then come back to me on Thursday or Friday and say I'm right to play again," Flanagan said.

"Obviously we've got a huge game against the Dragons, any coach wants Paul Gallen in their team against the Dragons.

"If I get a couple more wins up maybe we can give him a spell."

The Sharks disposed of an error-riddled Canberra with a five tries to two victory that will leave them on the edge of the top eight and well in the battle for a play-off spot as the regular season enters its final eight weeks.

The Raiders had been in the middle of their own resurgence after two straight wins but now realistically need to win all eight games to make the eight.

Making matters worse, their next two are against ladder leaders Melbourne and premiers the Dragons.

"We've got two home games and they're against the two top sides, so I think any player or any team would like to see that challenge," coach David Furner said.

"We can't afford to drop those two games."

The Raiders were lucky to only trail 14-12 at halftime but a controversial try to Sharks benchman Taulima Tautai, who video referee Russell Smith ruled had grounded a ball that looked inconclusive on replays, made it 20-12 in the 59th minute.

The final nail in the Raiders' coffin came in the 69th minute when Ben Pomeroy picked up the scraps of a Chad Townsend kick.

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