Finucane decides future
Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues and Melbourne Storm forward Dale Finucane has ended months of speculation over his future after signing a four-year deal with Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks from next season.
Following the marquee signings of fellow New South Welshmen Cameron McInnes and Nicho Hynes, the 29-year-old Finucane will link up again with Blues assistant and new Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon after a successful 2021 State of Origin campaign.
Finucane, 29, was reportedly also being courted by St George Illawarra Dragons while Wests Tigers entered the race late before he made his decision.
Sharks football manager Darren Mooney highlighted the influence of Fitzgibbon in bringing the two-time NRL Premiership winner to Cronulla in a club statement.
"Dale has a great relationship and respect for Craig (Fitzgibbon) through an association at representative level dating back to 2014 with NSW Country and more recently the NSW Origin team and Craig sees him as a senior leader at the Club,” Mooney said.
"He is also someone who can help mentor our young team while setting standards and enhancing the culture we are looking to build."
Finucane has played 212 first grade games for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (66) and Melbourne Storm (146), appearing in six NRL Grand Finals for two premierships (2017, 2020).
He has also represented NSW on five occasions for two series victories since 2019, and was named vice-captain of the Blues for Game Three of 2021.