Dale Finucane left nothing to chance in pursuit of elusive grand final win

HAVING played in three losing grand finals before, Dale Finucane was not going to leave anything to chance when he got his fourth chance.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — OCTOBER 01: Dale Finucane of the Storm scores a try during the 2017 NRL Grand Final match between the Melbourne Storm and the North Queensland Cowboys at ANZ Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

DALE Finucane had to be sure.

When he charged onto a Cameron Smith pass close to the line in Sunday’s grand final, he wanted to be sure he got the bloody thing down.

After all, if you’ve played in three losing grand finals before, the fourth time around you don’t want to leave anything to chance.

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“I sort of gave Smithy the eyes about hitting me short and I just really wanted to be sure of it” Finucane said post-match.

“I didn’t try to slam it down, I sort of cradled it to the ground to make sure it was going down.

“It’s such a surreal feeling and to have so many supporters at the game, up cheering, it’s a feeling I can’t explain.”

Wins @CountryRL Player of the Year Friday.

Wins #NRLGF Sunday.@DaleFinucane has had a week!#NRL pic.twitter.com/37qyD0AIwL

— NRL (@NRL) October 1, 2017

The tough lock forward is not a noted try scorer — he’s only scored 10 in his entire career — but this one was richly deserved and closed the door on any Cowboys comeback by pushing the lead out to 24-6 and all but sending the trophy down south yet again.

After losing two grand finals with Canterbury and one with Melbourne last year, Finucane finally has a premiership.

“I definitely don’t take it for granted.

“It’s not something I thought about to be honest. Every year is unique and different and it’s a different group of boys every year.

“It wasn’t something that dwelled on my mind.”

It was, by some distance, Finucane’s finest performance of his four grand final appearances, and not just for the try.

Dale Finucane of the Storm celebrates scoring a try during the NRL grand final between the Melbourne Storm and the North Queensland Cowboys.

Finucane led the way for the Storm with his line speed and tackling, helping to contain his opposite number, the impossibly talented Jason Taumalolo.

“It’s no secret he’s their most damaging ballrunner, we just had to do our best to contain him through the game.

“We did well to contain him tonight.”

The Bega product has become a favourite of coach Craig Bellamy in his three years in Victoria, and has been part of the club’s leadership group this season.

As the Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater era slowly comes to an end for Melbourne, Finucane is one of the men who can carry the flame forward into the future.

Originally published as Dale Finucane left nothing to chance in pursuit of elusive grand final win