Dale Finucane signs with Cronulla Sharks on a four-year deal

Melbourne Storm co-captain Dale Finucane will join Cronulla next season on a four-year deal as incoming Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon continues to rebuild the roster.

Finucane has informed his Melbourne teammates of the decision to move to Cronulla after re rejected an offer from the St George Illawarra Dragons.

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The 29-year-old, who is held in very high regard in the NRL, will join current Melbourne teammate Nicho Hynes at the Sharks in a clear sign of the salary cap pressure the Storm is under.

In recent weeks, coach Craig Bellamy has appeared resigned to losing Finucane to another club.

The signing of Finucane, along with Hynes, is a huge boost to Cronulla’s roster and for Fitzgibbon, who will take over the reins as Sharks coach next year.

“Knowing Dale will be leaving at the end of the year makes this a sad day for us but one we expected,” Storm general manager Frank Ponissi said.

“True to how Dale is, he has been totally professional and open with us during these contract discussions.

“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.

“He has had a major influence on our playing group and we look forward to that continuing in 2021 as we head into another finals campaign.

“Dale has made players around him better and will be sorely missed by everyone connected to Storm.

The Sharks have a strong roster after signing Dale Finucane and Nicho Hynes from the Storm. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)Source:Getty Images

“He will always be regarded as one of our very best.”

Finucane played 147 games Melbourne and was a part of the Storm’s premiership-winning teams in 2017 and 2020.

According to Fox Sports, the lock will join the Sharks on a deal worth $2.5 million over four years — about $600,000 per season.

“I’ve been here seven years, played with some great players, enjoyed some success and had the chance to be coached by Craig, 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.

“A big thanks goes to everyone I played with, Craig, Frank and all the coaching staff, as well as the behind scenes crew at Storm.

“My big hope is that we can get back to AAMI Park and play in front of our members and fans who haven’t had much of an opportunity to see us over the past two years.

“I believe our members and fans are the best supporters in the comp and that view has only grown with the way they’ve stuck by us in record numbers during 2020 and 2021.

“Hopefully we can finish this season on a high.”

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