Cronulla co-captain Dale Finucane has announced his retirement from the NRL after “double-digit concussions” prompted him to call a premature end to his playing career..
The 32-year-old forward fronted the media on Tuesday alongside coach Craig Fitzgibbon to explain why the many head knocks he had suffered over the years led to him pulling the pin on his career even though the dual premiership winner was contracted at the Sharks until the end of 2025.
“Over the last couple of weeks I’ve been going through a process of seeing a neurologist and neuropsychologist around the issues I’ve had with concussion,” Finucane said.
“At the end of the day there was no decisions to make, the medical advice from the two medical experts was that I retire and don’t continue to play.
“I spoke with Clint Newton, President of the RLPA around potential avenues to return to play and potentially go against that advice but at the end of the day it wasn’t able to come to fruition.
“I’m disappointed about the premature end to how it’s finished but I’m excited for the next chapter of my life.”
He missed the end of the 2023 season with a torn bicep and fractured his eye socket earlier this season, restricting him to only three games so far.
“Dale is a revered leader and will always hold a special place in our history as Shark #549. His passion and dedication are the stuff of legend,” CEO Dino Mezzatesta said.
“Whilst no longer playing, he won’t be lost to the Sharks. Dale will take up a role working with the club in various capacities.
“It’s a premature end to a stellar playing career, but we congratulate Dale on his plethora of achievements and wish him, his wife Maddie and children Freddy and Tommy all the very best in their next chapter.”
Finucane has returned to full contact training but was not selected in the Sharks’ side to face North Queensland in round seven.
“My wife Maddie, she’s been at the forefront of wanting to put my health first before anything else,” he added.
“Over the last few concussions that I’ve suffered she’s showed a lot more worry around the frequency I was getting them and potentially how easy I was getting them.
“She doesn’t like seeing me come off the field for concussions at any time but I think I’d had a number over the last few years and I think the number was getting in the double digits of those non return to play concussions.
“While I’m disappointing about finishing I’m grateful that she was adamant about getting all of this stuff done.
He has played 251 first-grade games, with the Sharks celebrating his 250th appearance in their round-two win over Canterbury in March.
Success followed Finucane, who played in 28 finals matches and had a remarkable overall career win rate of just under 70%.
Finucane played five State of Origin games for NSW and has also represented Canterbury and Melbourne, with whom he won the 2017 and 2020 premierships.
“When Dale’s around, he’s a symbol of success in a lot of ways and a symbol of someone that gets the very best out of themselves every time they turn up,” Fitzgibbon said.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy and Dale Finucane of the Storm pose with the JJ Giltinan Shield in 2021. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
“If we were to channel any sort of energy that Dale’s provided and play with that similar spirit and selflessness in the way that he’s conducted himself in the way that he’s conducted himself over the course of his career and if that can rub off on his footy, that’s a powerful motivator.
“Dale’s signing is one of the most significant signings our club will ever make. Besides just being a great man, I feel like he has just delivered in spades.
“He’s changed the fabric of the way the boys prepare for a game of footy, the way they carry themselves and I don’t think our club will ever forget his time here.”
The Sharks are well stocked with middle forwards with Braden Hamlin-Uele, Toby Rudolf, Jack Williams, Oregon Kaufusi and Cameron McInnes providing plenty of experience along with younger options like Jesse Colquhoun, Tom Hazelton and Tuku Hau Tapuha.
And they have Warriors star Addin Fonua-Blake heading to the club next season on a four-year deal.
However, Finucane’s departure is still a major blow for the competition leaders as they try to add a second premiership to the club’s trophy cabinet after their 2016 success.
They thrashed the Cowboys last weekend and are red-hot favourites to topple the Raiders in Canberra this Sunday.
with AAP
mushi
Roar Guru
Rogers, Jackson, Webb. I think years back, when fans and Gould said there’s nothing wrong with it (despite it already coming out the nfl had been surpressing the link for decades – heck there was even a pre slap Will Smith movie), there was study by beyond blue that had severe mental illness in ex league players as massively above the rate of the general population
mushi
Roar Guru
As long as it's medical retirement they can get it exempt from the cap. He'll likely just roll into a front office gig where the first year's salary looks remarkably similar
mushi
Roar Guru
Sadly it seems like if you wait until it's obvious then it's obviously too late. There was an NFL player a few years back about to hit a huge pay day as he made the starting team and rolled off his rookie contract. But he had college friends who were doctors so after an off-season with them decided he wouldn't play Russian roulette for the 5 million and quit before he got concussion issues.
mushi
Roar Guru
I always saw him as Ryu with the head band
mushi
Roar Guru
I'd walk around the house doing mock fire ball poses after games he was particularly involved in. Which made Mrs Mushi just shake her head. I'm actually kind of glad he never played for the roosters, I'd have probably lost half a year of my life to mimicking Street fighter
Cam
Roar Rookie
Often QLD won’t select the “best” player, but will instead pick an effort forward. Probably the best and most recent example is Reuben Cotter, who is almost a Finucane clone. Cotter was a small middle with a handful of NRL games under his belt when Slater unexpectedly selected him for Qld. When asked, Slater simply said “he’s made for Origin”. Cotter goes on to play 80 minutes in one of the great Origin debuts. If Finucane had been a Qlder, there is no doubt he would have been selected into the team after Corey Parker retired in 2017. Josh McGuire wore the 13 jersey that series.
Worlds Biggest
Roar Pro
Great career and by all accounts a great bloke. 6 Grand Finals, 2 Premierships and 5 Origins, what a resume. Smart and wise decision. Well spoken and the guy can sing, no doubt he has plenty of good things ahead. Meanwhile the NRL need to start getting serious about concussions. It currently seems Micky Mouse.
zonecadet
Roar Rookie
How many concussion retirements is that in the last few years? Seriously, the game, at present, is too physical for these guys and long term health prospects are jeopardised weekly. The research is out there, 3 concussions is too many. Longer time out of the game once you get a concussion is needed than what the NRL currently allows. How many concussions happen at training and, I assume, are not counted/monitored the same as if in a game. Dale says he was up in the double digits. I hope the guy enjoys a happy, fruitful, retirement but I fear for him. Once the litigations start. and they surely must at some point, the NRL will be in a world of pain and selling a couple of pubs won't help the bottom line
PJ
Roar Rookie
So not just me... everytime I heard commentators say his name I would get flashbacks of Ryu and Ken fireballs... "Fi-NUUU-ken". Absolute legend. Was a sad day when he left the Dogs and I'm still perplexed as to why we let him go.
The Barry
Roar Guru
What a super player Great career. Tough as teak in every game he played. Can’t knock him for making this decision It was phenomenal watching him and Josh Jackson come through together at the Bulldogs. Mismanagement saw him leave Pretty sure he had five grand final appearances in his first seven years of first grade Warrior
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
Always regarded Finucane pretty highly. Would gladly have had him on my team. Excellent career. I hope he has got out before the knocks impact his livelihood long term.
The Wollongong Ocean
Roar Rookie
Great career. Glad he also got his shot at Origin and won a series. Best wishes Dale and family.
andrew
Roar Rookie
I think Dale's made the right decision to retire immediately, especially after his concussions. Watching Wally and the Neurologist on Fox today and his speech in Canberra about CTE makes me think 11 days stand down for concussion is not enough, probably 3 weeks at least in my humble opinion.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! Unfortunately, he often led with his head in tackles ! He has been a danger to himself and his opponents in recent times. It is not surprising he has pulled the plug now.
Luke S
Roar Rookie
Difficult decision for Dale but one that had to be made to preserve his health. He was a good servant to the Storm, the Sharks and the NRL in general. Have a safe and wonderful retirement!
Bernie
Roar Rookie
agreed. its a bit of an old chestnut when people say "if he was a Qlder he would have played 30 games", with all the nsw players that say that about, Qld would have had to play 10 origins a year for them all to get to that number.
astro
Roar Rookie
Its easy to say he should have played more Origin, but instead of who? NSW has always had good backrow depth. Fact is, Finucane, had to compete for spots against guys like Cordner, Frizell, Jurbo, and Crichton before then competing against Yeo, Murray and Martin. Is he better than those guys? I'm not so sure... I guess you can argue he should have played more Origin vs selecting guys like Tariq Sims or Wade Graham, but, they both have 5-6 Origins, which is the same for Finucane...
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
This is very serious, not only for him but for heaps of other players. Paul Green and Steve Folkes as former guys off the top of the head. But why is Teddy still playing. Feeding crumbs to the pigeons in the park sucks.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Cronulla will be looking for a medical retirement for him. Which gives them an allowance with the cap. Only some clubs have received them for players. No doubt the club also put that idea forward to him , before he made his decision. As it would allow them to upgrade some other players.
langparker
Roar Rookie
Was going to suggest his retirement might be related to how he plays the game with no hint of self preservation. He’s had a few head knocks in recent seasons on top of what he copped back when bravery despite concussion required these warriors to get back in the fray. Hope he’s not showing signs of concussion issues as he’s still a young man.