Dale Finucane and Kezie Apps played in the same junior footy team in Bega

When Dale Finucane was growing up in Bega he was never the best player on the team - NSW Origin skipper Kezie Apps took that honour.

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It took 15 years but this is the Bega Roosters under-11s rugby league junior team that has remarkably produced two State of Origin players.

NSW Blues forward Dale Finucane and women’s State of Origin captain Kezie Apps played in the same team from under-9s to under-12s. They are both now 27.

And according to Finucane, the Blues debutant and Melbourne Storm workhorse, Apps was the better player in those days.

“Kezie wasn’t just better than me, she was better than all of us,” Finucane said. “She was a really good tackler and put a lot of force into it.”

Dale Finucane (second from left) and Kezie Apps (back row) playing for the Bega Roosters.

The team was coached by Apps’ dad Jeff, who would write a report card on each player at the end of the season.

He wrote of Finucane at 10 years of age: “You’ve got the attitude and work ethic to make it to the NRL.”

Not a bad judge!

Apps, who will captain NSW against the Maroons on Friday night at North Sydney Oval, sent a text message to her old teammate when he was announced in the Blues side on Sunday night.

“I always joked that when we were juniors I taught Dale everything he knows,” she said. “Seriously, though, it’s so well deserved his selection.

Apps (back row, third from left) and Finucane (back row, third from right) have made it to the game’s highest level.

“And you can imagine how proud Dad is to see us both playing for NSW.

“We all knew he was going to be really good.”

Despite living in different states, Finucane and Apps have kept in regular contact.

Apps had to give up rugby league at 11 like all girls in those days and switched to hockey.

“I was a bit angry about not being able to play anymore,” she said.

“It wasn’t until I was about 23 that I fell back in love with the game.

Kezie Apps carts the ball up for the Bega Roosters while Dale Finucane (right) looks on.

“I heard about the Jillaroos after they won the 2013 World Cup and that inspired me.

“I just love the game, I just love being able to play it again.”

Jeff Apps told The Daily Telegraph on Monday of his happiness for the two players.

“It’s great for our Group 16 competition,” he said. “We’ve also got Adam Elliott and Euan Aitken from this area, too.

“Dale always had this love and determination for the game that stood out.

“I’ll have to give him a ring and congratulate him. I’m so proud of both of them.”

Originally published as Dale Finucane and Kezie Apps played in the same junior footy team in Bega