Dale Finucane signs for Sharks as Fitzgibbon lands huge scalp

By Adam PengillyUpdated July 25, 2021 â€" 2.45pmfirst published at 11.06am

Craig Fitzgibbon has landed his biggest signing as incoming Cronulla coach with Dale Finucane agreeing to join the Sharks on a four-year deal.

Finucane, one of the most respected players in the NRL and biggest name still on the market, has opted to join Melbourne teammate Nicho Hynes in the Shire after fielding interest from a host of clubs.

The race for Finucane came down to a battle between bitter local rivals Cronulla and St George Illawarra, who made a massive play for the State of Origin representative after sacking Paul Vaughan over his COVID-breaching house party.

But the Sharks came out on top, adding Finucane to a middle forward rotation which will also include former Dragons captain Cameron McInnes, recently re-signed Toby Rudolf, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Jack Williams and Royce Hunt. The club still has Andrew Fifita on its books for another year.

Finucane, 29, enjoys a close relationship with Fitzgibbon, who has worked with the veteran forward during NSW’s Origin campaigns in recent years and had also been mulling offers from the Cowboys, Titans and an 11th-hour bid from the Tigers.

Despite missing out on Brisbane-bound Adam Reynolds only weeks after being anointed Sharks coach from 2022, Fitzgibbon has now added two huge additions to Cronulla’s roster in Finucane and Hynes.

Dale Finucane has signed with the Sharks from 2022.Credit:Getty Images

“I’ve been here seven years, played with some great players, enjoyed some success and had the chance to be coached by Craig [Bellamy], one of the best coaches in the history of the game,” Finucane said in a Storm statement.

“I’m going to miss the people here, the friendships I’ve made and the way the club is. It’s hard to put it into words how much Storm means to me. I’m honoured to have had the chance to experience this club, what it stands for, and I’ll always look fondly on my time here.”

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy was almost resigned to losing Finucane due to salary cap pressures when he spoke earlier in the week, likening his impending exit to when Cooper Cronk and Greg Inglis left the Storm.

“Knowing Dale will be leaving at the end of the year makes this a sad day for us but one we expected,” Melbourne general manager Frank Ponissi said. “True to how Dale is, he has been totally professional and open with us during these contract discussions.

He will always be regarded as one of our very best

Craig Bellamy

“He has brought some outstanding traits to Storm, highlighted by his professionalism and leadership, and just being a good bloke who has time for everyone.

“Dale has made players around him better and will be sorely missed by everyone connected to Storm. He will always be regarded as one of our very best.”

Finucane has already played in six grand finals spanning stints at the Bulldogs and Storm - and will be expected to feature in another this year with table-topping Melbourne firming for back-to-back premierships.

The addition of noted leaders Finucane and McInnes will give Fitzgibbon the chance to cultivate the type of culture which has been so successful during his time as assistant to Trent Robinson at the Roosters.

“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 a senior leader at the club,” Sharks general manager Darren 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.

“Dale was also impressed with the future vision, where the board and senior management is taking the club and is excited to be a part of that future.”

McInnes has been given approval to continue his rehabilitation from an ACL tear with the Sharks despite still being under contract with the Dragons. He has also signed a four-year deal with Cronulla.

Fitzgibbon is likely to pair Hynes and Matt Moylan in the halves next year with the latter signing a cut-price one-year deal to stay at the Sharks after being injury plagued in recent seasons.

The club has already told Shaun Johnson, Aaron Woods and Josh Dugan they won’t be offered contracts beyond this season. Johnson will return to the New Zealand Warriors next year.

Adam Pengilly is a sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.

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