Melbourne star Dale Finucane puts hand up for NSW Origin debut

Dale Finucane took his disappointment at being overlooked for State of Origin I and turned it into a destructive performance for the Storm. Now he’s ready to do the same for the Blues in game two.

Finucane is desperate for his long-awaited Origin shot. Image: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

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Melbourne workhorse Dale Finucane has held up his end of the bargain, time and again.

Now, it is up to NSW Origin selectors to pick up the telephone and ring the reliable lock, built for the representative arena.

Finucane responded to the Origin I snub in the best possible fashion, amassing 160 metres and a Storm-high 34 tackles in the win over New Zealand Warriors.

If the Blues want to save the 2019 series, after going down meekly to Queensland at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, they need Finucane for next Sunday week’s cutthroat Origin game at Perth Stadium.

Plain and simple.

Dale Finucane is in career-best form. Image: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

Finucane, who has added a more attacking streak to his game, potentially in a bid attract Origin selector’s attention, is on track to post career-highs for run metres, line breaks and tackle busts in 12 games.

With changes expected for the Blues after the surprise Origin I defeat, the 27 year-old could enhance his chances on Saturday at AAMI Park against in-form Newcastle Knights.

“I’d love to be involved in an Origin team or an Origin squad,” Finucane said.

“It’s something that everyone strives towards and wants to be a part of.

“I feel like I’ve been playing quite consistently this year, I guess, when comparing to other years, it’s probably been my most consistent start to a year.”

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But Finucane has not yet had a call from “anyone” at New South Wales Rugby League.

“It is something (selection) that is obviously for New South Wales coaching staff and the powers that be, but if it comes about for me, I’ll be grateful for the opportunity,” the Storm vice-captain said.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy has consistently pressed Finucane’s claims, going as far as to suggest recently the lock would be one of his first players picked.

“It’s nice to have Craig in my corner,” Finucane said.

“I think Craig is going to advocate I guess for the players that he has on his team, which is really pleasing, and humbling to hear from someone like Craig Bellamy.”

With Origin and internationals coming up Storm is desperate to bank as many wins as possible during the gruelling mid-season block despite uncertainty around player availability.

“Craig speaks to players about the expectations of them and the expectation isn’t to try and emulate someone like Cameron Munster or Will Chambers, or any of our Origin players,” Finucane said.

“It’s about bringing your own individual strengths to our team … and let’s those guys play their natural game.

“It has been a strength of ours over the last couple of years (winning during Origin), I think that’s been a strength of our coaching staff passing onto our players.”

Originally published as Melbourne star Dale Finucane puts hand up for NSW Origin debut