Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues forward Dale Finucane is relishing the hard, defensive work that new Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon is insisting on developing at the NRL squad.
Finucane has a strong bond with Fitzgibbon that was forged during their time together in the Blues. Fitzgibbon, a True Blue, was assistant coach under Brad Fittler while Finucane has been part of the last three Origin campaigns including the 2019 and 2021 series wins.
Finucane and Fitzgibbon have played both lock, back and front row in their Origin appearances for NSW. The reliance on creating a stone-wall defence showed in the Sharks 30-6 win over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the last of the NRL trial games.
“That was really pleasing,” Finucane told Sharks media after limiting the Bulldogs to only one try, while scoring five of their own.
“What Craig has done in this pre-season with the defensive mentality was put into action tonight and is reflected in that score line.”
Finucane, who had three years at the Bulldogs before his 152 games and two premierships with the Melbourne Storm, is one of Fitzgibbon’s key signings at the Sharks for 2022.
True Blue and former Storm teammate Nicho Hynes at halfback was another. He played big minutes against the Bulldogs, had a line-break assist and a try assist alongside his five-from-five conversions.
“It was a good first hit-out,” Finucane said.
“We were really pleased with our completions … a trial game can often be quite sloppy, but I thought we controlled things well.
“It was also good to see our halves and spine go really well – it’s a reward for the off-season those boys have had.”
Finucane was given 35 minutes at lock against his old club and felt the Fitzgibbon fitness regime had held him in good stead.
“I didn’t feel too bad,” he said.
“But I was obviously rusty a few times with my timing on shapes, contact, and those sorts of things.
“But for the most part it was a good hit-out. I’m really looking forward to round one.”
The Sharks face the Canberra Raiders in Canberra for Round One of the NRL on Friday 11 March.
