Astonishing act drove star to keep retirement secret

UPDATED: Cronulla legend Paul Gallen says the positive impact of Dale Finucane’s time at the club will be evident for many years to come.

Finucane announced his immediate retirement from the NRL on Tuesday at the age of 32.

The respected hardman says he “exhausted every avenue” in trying to get back on the field but ultimately was told by medical professionals his career was finished.

His final game was round three against the Tigers when he suffered a fractured cheekbone – the latest in a string of head knocks for the workhorse forward.

Across his 251 games in the competition Finucane earned a reputation as one of the hardest trainers in the business.

Dale Finucane announces his retirement from the NRL.

It was a reason the Sharks recruited him from Melbourne in 2022, and it’s a lesson Gallen says was passed on to the club’s younger generation.

“I think what he’s done at Cronulla, he’s set a really high standard for training and work ethic at the club that’s going to rub off on the youngsters, I think for many years to come,” Gallen told Wide World of Sports on Tuesday.

“I used to like training hard, but he is on another level the way he rips in.

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“There is no light training, no light contact sessions, no light weight sessions, no taking it easy in the fitness sessions – he is just 100 miles an hour 100 per cent of the time.

“To have that trait, that work ethic, is really good and it’s going to rub off on a lot of youngsters in the future.”

At an emotional press conference on Tuesday, Finucane paid tribute to his wife and two sons, as well as his parents and siblings.

He revealed after three weeks of trying to convince doctors he could keep playing, he finally resigned himself to retirement on Thursday afternoon.

But he opted not to tell his Sharks teammates until Tuesday because – selflessly – he didn’t want to overshadow the NRL debut of Samuel Stonestreet on Sunday.

“I’m obviously sad and disappointed that it’s ended prematurely,” Finucane said.

“But speaking to some of those past players (who have also retired early) they really put into perspective that I should be happy and grateful for the career that I’ve had.

“I’m so grateful I got to play my 250th the other day and got my boys to come on the field with me. I’m sure I’ll reflect a lot more in the weeks to come.”

The south coast product debuted for Canterbury in 2012 and played in that year’s grand final, losing to Melbourne. He also played in the Bulldogs’ losing grand final team in 2014, going down to the Rabbitohs.

Dale Finucane of the Sharks.

Finucane jumped ship to the Storm in 2015 and won premierships with them in 2017 and 2020.

The decorated forward joined Cronulla in 2022 on a four-year deal but will finish up 18 months early. He was hailed as a significant signing when he first moved to the Sharks due to his reputation as an outstanding trainer and an important piece in a successful club culture.

He managed only 13 games last season due to injury.

Finucane played five State of Origin games for New South Wales, debuting in game two of the 2019 series to help the Blues to victory.

“He should be content,” his last coach Fitzgibbon said on Tuesday.

“I don’t think too many players can pack more into a career than Dale has.”

Fitzgibbon confirmed the club is exploring ways to keep Finucane employed at the club long-term.