True Blue Steve Blocker Roach has declared that Melbourne Storm lock Dale Finucane will definitely be included in Brad Fittler’s Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues side come November despite the Melbourne Storm lock going quietly about his business this season.
Dubbed ‘a warrior’ by Fittler, Finucane has been a mainstay in the Storm’s nine from eleven wins so far in 2020 with his biggest stints being 66 minutes in the middle against competition heavyweights the Sydney Roosters and Canberra Raiders.
“When you talk to (Storm coach) Craig Bellamy, he’s probably the most experienced coach along with Wayne Bennett now in the NRL, he says, ‘He’s the first bloke I pick every week,’” Roach told the Behind Blue Eyes podcast.
“He uses his body in a way that you shouldn’t.
“He just goes hard every week, week in, week out…you know what you’re going to get.”
The 28-year-old took part in Game II and Game III in his maiden Origin series last year, totalling 208 run metres and 40 tackles in NSW’s victories and Roach believes the guidance he provides to other players is immeasurable and an asset that will earn him a sky blue jersey once more.
“He will definitely be in the squad for NSW, whether he starts or not is another thing for Freddy but just watching him prepare and seeing him around the other players, he is a must in that NSW 17,” Roach said.
“At the end of the year if he’s still fit and fleet-footed I’m sure that we’ll see Dale Finucane there.
“He’s the type of player that if you asked his team mates I bet you they’d all say ‘Mate, we love playing with this bloke.’”
Finucane is known as a workhorse and his 2020 stats certainly reflect that since he has recorded 1,349 run metres – 485 of those post-contact as well as 343 tackles and will be a key player in the Storm’s clash with the Newcastle Knights this weekend as they search for their sixth straight win.