NRL 2024: Cronulla Sharks forward Dale Finucane announces shock retirement from the game

After exhausting every possible avenue, Dale Finucane has called time on his NRL career. Now the Sharks veteran opens up on the moment he knew it was over, writes DAVID RICCIO.

Dale Finucane. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

The moment Dale Finucane knew it was full-time in his career was when Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon was sitting in his lounge room.

Fitzgibbon knocked on Finucane’s front door last month after the Sharks co-captain suffered a fractured eye socket and head knock against the Wests Tigers.

The head injury was yet another setback for the fearless leader, with Finucane conceding on Tuesday that his concussions had numbered in the “double digits” since making his debut at Canterbury in 2012.

Inside Finucane’s home, the head coach vowed to Finucane’s wife Maddie that he would never let her husband back on the field if it meant putting his health at risk.

And so began the most important two weeks of Finucane’s career.

Dale Finucane has called time on his NRL career, after receiving medical advice to retire from rugby league. Picture: Getty Images

He consulted multiple independent doctors, the Rugby League Players Association and its lawyers, former and current players, and the Sharks’ staff to determine whether he could play on.

The 32-year-old said he tried everything in the hope he could keep playing, but he admitted in the end, “it wasn’t a decision”.

Finucane, who represented NSW on five occasions, won the 2017 and 2020 premierships with Melbourne and played a total of 251 NRL games, has retired effective immediately.

“I exhausted every avenue,” Finucane said.

“There was no decision to be made. The medical advice was that I retire.

“I’m a bit numb to the feeling at the moment, it probably hasn’t quite hit me because we’ve been going through quite a stringent process since the Tigers game

“I’d like to thank Fitzy for the process. He obviously came over to my house and spoke with my wife and alleviated any fears that she had with what was happening and to give her peace of mind that I wasn’t going to be playing until my health was put first.

“I can’t say that that would be the same for every coach to put the man ahead of the player so I’m super grateful for that.

Finucane knew his career was over when Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon vowed he would never let him back on the field if it meant putting his health at risk. Picture: Getty Images

“I’m super appreciative of the club for putting my health first and the processes they have to do that.

“I can’t say that it will be the same for every coach, to put the man ahead of the player and I’m super grateful to Fitzy for that.

“I’m super appreciative of the entire club and staff who put my health before anything else.”

Fitzgibbon paid Finucane the ultimate compliment by

Revered for his uncompromising work ethic and physicality, Finucane has been a “symbol of success” at Cronulla, according to Fitzgibbon.

“It’s one of the most significant (signings) our club will ever make,” Fitzgibbon said of bringing Finucane to the Sharks in 2022.

“To have players like Dale that come along that embody that team spirit, and then is just a complete savage in every fashion. He’s such a great man.

“Our club will never forget his time here.”

While he has been revered for his uncompromising work ethic and physicality, rugby league has taken a toll on Finucane’s body, with concussions numbering in the “double digits”. Picture: Getty Images

FAREWELL ‘RAMBO’: WHY FINUCANE’S LEGACY GOES FAR BEYOND FOOTY

Back in 2021, Storm coach Craig Bellamy had this to say about Dale Finucane.

“He’s been better for the club than the club has been for him,‘’ Bellamy said.

If there has been a greater acknowledgment of the impact of a player on the Melbourne Storm by Bellamy, we’re yet to find it.

Finucane made the emotional and shock call on Tuesday to announce that after 251-games first grade games, he has played his final game.

If he had his way, he’d still be playing, with only the advice of medical experts convincing him to hang up the boots.

Even right up until the end, Finucane kept willing his body forward. Just like he did for 12-seasons in the NRL.

Finucane is fortunate that the curtain comes down on his career at a time in the game where the respect for concussion has never been greater.

The fact that Finucane wanted to keep playing on at the risk of repeated head knocks shows how much of a responsibility the game has to protect the player’s from themselves.

What isn’t up for debate is Finucane’s legacy.

He leaves the game as a true warrior. His nickname is Rambo for a reason.

But perhaps more importantly, he leaves the game as a player who changed the Sharks.

Right now, the game is watching a young Cronulla pack lead the competition.

With so much football left in front of them, younger Cronulla forwards like Tom Hazelton, Oregon Kaufusi, Briton Nikora, Teig Wilton and Blayke Brailey are rolling through teams.

Finucane deserves praise for his role in their peak form.

Ask them about the player they have learned the most about preparing their bodies for game day, ask them about what training to a standard of excellence every day looks like and they’ll all say Dale Finucane.

The warhorse might be retired, but his impact on Cronulla will continue for many years to come.

Originally published as NRL 2024: Cronulla Sharks forward Dale Finucane announces shock retirement from the game