Sharks hardman forced into ‘premature’ retirement

Rugby league hard man Dale Finucane has been forced into early retirement due to repeated head knocks, with the 251-game veteran calling time on a glittering career which included two premierships and a reputation as one of the toughest men to play the sport.

The 32-year-old still had another year to run on his deal at the Sharks, but after lengthy consultations with medical professionals, the club and past and present players, Finucane decided now was the time to protect himself and retire.

It brings an end to an incredible career at the Bulldogs, Storm and Sharks, with Finucane also representing his state five times in the middle.

But with concussions estimated to be in double digits – including a head knock in his most recent game against the Wests Tigers – Finucane joins a list including Roosters greats Boyd Cordner and Jake Friend to retire prematurely.

“Over the last couple of weeks I’ve gone through the process of seeing a number of neurologists and neuropsychologists around the issues I’ve had with concussion,” he said.

“At the end of the day, there was no decision to be made. The medical advice was that I retire and don’t continue to play and that was from two independent medical experts.

“I’m a bit numb to the feeling at the moment, it probably hasn’t quite hit me because we’ve been going through quite a stringent process since the Tigers game.

“I’m obviously extremely disappointed about it but I’m excited about the next stage of life as well.

“It’s been a stringent process to try and tick boxes to try and play but obviously it wasn’t possible.”

Finucane only told his teammates on Tuesday, with plans to keep him around the club going forward.

Coach Craig Fitzgibbon has been with Finucane every step of the way since he left the Storm ahead of the 2022 season – something Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy said was so tough to take given how much he respected him.

“It’s one of the most significant (signings) our club will ever make,” Fitzgibbon said.

“To have players like Dale that come along that embody that team spirit, and then is just a complete savage in every fashion. He’s such a great man.

“Our club will never forget his time here.”

Finucane was never afraid to come up with a big play in the middle to lift his side, which prompted his coach to heap praise on him ahead of game 250 earlier this year.

“You would always hear the Storm and the Bulldogs before that mention the preparation and the application to the hardest parts of the game,” Fitzgibbon said.

“You hear stories about a guy like that, but when you see it, it’s kind of uncomfortable sometimes because he won’t relent.

“Sometimes you watch training and think ‘is he unhinged, is he crazy or is this just who he is’?

“He’s the most humble, unassuming, nice guy who just prepares on the red line every time he takes the field.”