Cronulla's premiership celebrations took a bittersweet turn on Tuesday when James Maloney and Valentine Holmes were named newcomers in the Kangaroos' Four Nations squad as Sharks captain Paul Gallen was told his services would not be required.
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Australia coach Mal Meninga spoke with Gallen on Tuesday morning less than two days after he lifted Cronulla's first NRL premiership, and informed the man who has represented his country 32 times that he wouldn't be on the plane to England later this month.
Match-winning prop Andrew Fifita was also not selected due to an investigation by the NRL's Integrity Unit into his wearing of an armband earlier this season in support of convicted one-punch killer Kieran Loveridge.
Maloney meanwhile is the oldest of seven new faces in the 24-man squad, and is in line to make his international debut in the Four Nations, most likely against tournament newcomer Scotland.
The 30-year-old comes into the side as back up for Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston, with Meninga following the lead of NSW coach Laurie Daley in looking at Maloney as a halfback despite playing his club football in the No.6.
Daley utilised Maloney at halfback in game three of this year's State of Origin series with fellow Kangaroos new face Matt Moylan playing five-eighth.
"Jimmy's been in the picture for a while I reckon," Meninga said.
"His Origin series this year I thought was extremely good. He played [number] seven in game three and Matty Moylan six and that's obviously influenced our decision as well.
"He's probably the best next No.7 I'd suggest.
"Having played a big part in Cronulla's success this year he made his statement and deserves to be in the football side."
The Sharks' win on Sunday night was Maloney's second NRL premiership, going alongside the title he won in 2013 at the Sydney Roosters. He also played in the 2011 decider with the New Zealand Warriors who were beaten by Manly.
Winger Holmes earned his spot in the squad after scoring 19 tries in a breakout season while Meninga said Sharks utility Jack Bird only narrowly missed selection, although the 21-year-old is still nursing an elbow injury suffered in the grand final.
Gallen's omission means he's almost certainly played his last game in an Australian jersey with season 2017 likely to be his last in the NRL.
The Cronulla veteran carried a back injury through the back end of this season but still managed 170 run metres and 28 tackles in the grand final win over Melbourne.
Joining him on the chopping block is retiring Brisbane lock Corey Parker, who Meninga also overlooked on form.
"They've been great servants to the game we all know that, they've worn the green and gold jersey and put it in high regard but we move on," Meninga said.
"It was hard; we sat round the table and we discussed all of it, we discussed the loyalty, we discussed respect but at the end of the day we've got to pick what's best for the team.
"That's the toughest job you can do I think in coaching and I think you can do in life, tell someone they're not part of something special.
"Gal, he's a true professional, he took it on the chin as well. He understood the situation which was great.
"Both Corey and Gal were part of those conversations we had prior to the ANZAC Test and they bought into that, they believe in the values in the Kangaroo DNA moving forward.
"We've got an eye to the future, too, people like Trent Merrin, Tyson Frizell, those type of players are terrific players who deserve their spots."
Meninga said he planned to pick the strongest team available for next week's Test match against New Zealand in Perth before flying to England.
The Kangaroos kick off their Four Nations tournament against Scotland in Hull on October 28, a game Meninga is targeting as a chance to use Maloney and a host of other fringe players.
"I would suggest that Scotland would be a good chance for us to mix and match, see some of the players," Meninga said.
"Give people like James Maloney an opportunity, Matty Moylan an opportunity in that game and then we'll see how the two progress."
Australia's other two group games are against New Zealand in Coventry on November 5, and England in London on November 13.
Kangaroos squad: Cam Smith (c), Darius Boyd, Shannon Boyd, Boyd Cordner, Cooper Cronk, Josh Dugan, Blake Ferguson, Jake Friend, Tyson Frizell, Matt Gillett, Valentine Holmes, Greg Inglis, David Klemmer, James Maloney, Josh Mansour, Trent Merrin, Michael Morgan, Matt Moylan, Justin O'Neill, Josh Papalii, Matt Scott, Sam Thaiday, Johnathan Thurston, Aaron Woods.
