NRL 2021: Dale Finucane’s wish before leaving Melbourne Storm

Dale Finucane, one of the most reliable forwards in rugby league, has some unfinished business to attend to before the season is out.

Finucane joined the Storm from the Bulldogs in 2015. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Warhorse Storm lock Dale Finucane says he has unfinished business to attend to before he joins the Sharks as he targets finishing his stellar Melbourne career with another premiership ring.

The dust has now settled since the 29-year-old Melbourne co-captain signed a four-year deal with the Cronulla Sharks, starting next year. He has no regrets about his decision despite Craig Bellamy’s subsequent long-term commitment to the Storm.

Finucane is a Bellamy-style of player, more interested in the journey than the destination.

More than anyone playing in the NRL today he understands the arduous road to get to season deciders having played in six grand finals – two at the Bulldogs and four with the Storm – in the past nine seasons. He’s won just two of those, both with Melbourne in 2017 and 2020, and is hungry for another title.

“The main goal is to go all the way. It is something I would love to do before I leave,” Finucane said.

“I have been lucky enough to be involved in a number of grand finals and I don’t take that for granted.

“There is a lot of work to do, and not forgetting the process of getting there as well.

“We are sitting first on the table at the moment but Craig says it can only take a bit of luck in finals, for us or the other team, to snag a win.

“Yes we are in a strong position, and that’s great, but we want to be firing in those last games during the finals.”

Finucane’s strong form for Melbourne this season earned him a place in the Blues’ Origin squad. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

Bellamy’s regard for where the Sharks are heading is so high that he seriously contemplated joining the club, before committing to the Storm for another five years.

Finucane is close with Cronulla’s 2022 coach Craig Fitzgibbon after spending time with him in NSW camp. Three weeks have passed since Finucane signed with Cronulla but his rapport with Bellamy was not impacted by his decision.

“It is still really good. Before I had signed a contract elsewhere I spoke to Craig to let him know I wouldn’t be able to remain at the club, and he was outstanding in guiding my decision,” he said.

“He answered any of the questions I had regarding off-field stuff and football related things and the conversations I had with him gave me clarity around my final decision.

“I have a strong enough relationship with Craig to be firstly able to say I was moving on, reluctantly, and then to ask him to help guide me to the place he thought would be a good fit for me.”

Bellamy previously declared Finucane one of his favourite players to have coached. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Finucane had already signed his deal with the Sharks when he was in a team meeting on the Sunshine Coast as Bellamy announced he was staying on for another five years. With the Storm now on an 18-game winning streak, was there a twinge of pain at what he was leaving behind and that Bellamy would not coach him again beyond this year?

“Not at all,” Finucane said.

“I know he was speaking to Cronulla for a time and it would have been nice for him to jump across but I am extremely happy for him to be involved with this club again.

“You’ve got to remember that Craig has spent almost two decades here at Melbourne. Every player that has come through this club has spoken of how Craig has developed them as a player, and I will speak to that myself. I have become a better player and person under Craig and even though I am leaving I am extremely happy that he is staying on for years to come.”