NRL star Dale Finucane admits Jillaroo Kezie Apps was better player

HE might be an NRL champion but Dale Finucane freely admits he was once well and truly overshadowed in size, speed and skill by Jillaroos star Kezie Apps on the playing field.

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HE might be an NRL champion but Dale Finucane freely admits he was once well and truly overshadowed in size, speed and skill by Jillaroos star Kezie Apps on the playing field.

The Melbourne Storm lock and Country Origin player says he was beaten on a regular basis for scoring and tackling awards when he played shoulder-to-shoulder with Apps at the Bega Roosters from the age of eight.

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“But she wasn’t just better than me, she was better than all of us. She was one of the best players in the team,’’ said Finucane, a lifelong friend of his former teammate.

Kezie Apps, far left, with Dale Finucane, far right, when they played together at the Bega Roosters.

“She was a really good tackler. She put a lot of force in them.

“There was another girl in the comp as well. Actually, a lot of the guys were jealous because they were both usually better than us.’’

If I can play like Ruan (Sims, joint Jillaroos captain) when I’m 35 I’ll be cheering

Apps, who says the physicality of the game is what attracts her to rugby league, will hit the pitch with the Jillaroos on Thursday as they open their World Cup campaign against the Cook Islands.

“I always say that when we were juniors I taught Dale everything he knows,” Apps jokes.

Dale Finucane and good mate Kezie Apps.

Finucane, back left, and Apps, back right.

“He came to the Bega Roosters in the under nines and we played together until the under 12s and we are really still great mates.

“He was always a warhorse. We knew he would go far.’’

Apps, introduced to backyard rugby league from an early age by two older brothers, was coached by her father and admits her days with Finucane and her Bega Roosters teammates triggered her lifetime passion for the sport.

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But while Finucane continued to hone the skills which saw him part of the winning Storm side in the NRL Grand Final in October, Apps was sent to the sidelines at age 12, no longer allowed to play beside her mates.

It was another 11 years before the Australian forward and former Dally M women’s winner returned to rugby league and now, at age 26, is one of the stars of the game.

Kezie Apps and Sam Bremner training.

Australian Jillaroos Kezie Apps and Ruan Sims hold the World Cup they hope to claim at the tournament starting Thursday.

“At the time that was just how it was. There was nothing different. But it was hard to stop playing the sport and find another one I loved,’‘ she said.

“We sort of just accepted it. It did frustrate me I couldn’t play on though.

“I didn't start playing rugby league again until I was 23 when I heard about the Jillaroos after they won the 2013 World Cup. I just love the game, I just love being able to play it again.

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“If I can play like Ruan (Sims, joint Jillaroos captain) when I’m 35 I’ll be cheering.’’

Finucane said he cannot imagine even being out of the game for a year.

“But that’s Kez. She used to travel four-and-a-half hours to training, train and then do four-and-half-hours home,’’ he said.

“She is just so dedicated and passionate. I’m very proud of her.’’