North Queensland has tabled a deal to off-contract Storm prop Dale Finucane

North Queensland have set their sights on an Origin-calibre middle forward, tabling a deal for an off-contract 200-game NRL veteran.

NORTH Queensland have set their sights on another State of Origin recruit as it appears more and more likely their pursuit of Kurt Capewell has hit a dead end.

It is understood Capewell is close to agreeing to terms with the Broncos, after the Brisbane club increased its offer considerably in the past fortnight.

The Cowboys have now formally tabled an offer to Storm lock forward Dale Finucane for the 2022 season and beyond.

Dale Finucane passes during a New South Wales Blues State of Origin training session at Ned Byrne Field on the Gold Coast. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

It is uncertain what the length of the deal is, but the Cowboys have made it clear in the past they wanted to secure a high-calibre middle forward after the club locked down its scrumbase earlier this season with the addition of Tom Dearden and Chad Townsend.

Finucane comes off contract at the Storm at the end of the season and is believed to be in negotiations with his current club to extend his stay in Melbourne.

The Cowboys are also believed to be in negotiations with at least one current squad member who comes off contract at the end of the season after the club agreed to an extension for premiership winner Jake Granville.

The 32-year-old Granville has enjoyed a new lease on life under Todd Payten this season, using his speed out of dummy-half to expose tired forwards in the late stages of the game.

The one-two punch of Reece Robson and Granville through the middle of the field was crucial during the Cowboys winning run last month.

Granville has played 147 NRL games for the Cowboys since joining the club in 2015 and played all 28 games in the club’s premiership campaign that season.

“We want to build our club around people who are prepared to work hard and buy into what Todd and our coaching staff are trying to achieve and Jake is a terrific example of that,” Cowboys head of football Micheal Luck said.

“The combination he has built up with Reece Robson has been extremely beneficial to our squad as we have begun to turn results around, but he has also shown value in his versatility. While Jake is a hooker by trade, he can certainly hold his gloves up when asked to play in other positions.”

Jake Granville . NRL; North Queensland Cowboys Vs Brisbane Broncos at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Granville has been named on the bench for the Cowboys for this weekend’s game against the Knights, in what is an unchanged line-up to the one beaten by Cronulla a fortnight ago.

The Cowboys three Origin representatives have been named to back up afater Queensland’s comprehenesive loss to NSW on Sunday.

Connelly Lemuelu has also been named in the reserves to make his return from a five-week injury lay-off after he had surgery on a broken thumb. Heilum Luki is also the only other change with the young gun returning to the reserves after three weeks out.

Originally published as North Queensland has tabled a deal to off-contract Storm prop Dale Finucane