Surprisingly, Dale Finucane could be caught napping on grand final day.
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The former Bega footballer and Melbourne Storm lock said he would have a relaxed preparation including a nap and snacks pre-game time.
“It’s a pretty relaxed approach, I’m fairly routine about my warm ups on game day,” Finucane says with a laugh.
He will line up for his third NRL grand final when the Storm meet the Cronulla Sharks at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.
His experience should put him in good stead, but the front rower isn’t banking on it.
“I think you know what to expect in terms of the media and fan commitment, but it won’t make the game any easier,” he said.
“If some of the young guys want advice, I could share that with them, but I’ll be looking at it the same as any other game.”
Speaking of game, Finucane’s appears to be the best it ever has been, making huge metres for the Storm, while maintaining a near-flawless defensive record.
“I think it has been [my best form], it comes down to playing the longest minutes of my career,” he says.
“I’ve found the move to Melbourne really rewarding.
“[Playing with the likes of Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith], the Bulldogs have a lot of internationals too, but the Storm is really developing my game.”
Finucane said there were a number of players similar to his age and there had been a club-wide push to develop their talent.
Under the sometimes fiery vigil of coach Craig Bellamy, Finucane said the Storm had a wonderfully structured program and clearly defined roles on the paddock.
“I think there is an inherit level of competitiveness and fieriness from both Des [Hasler] and Craig,” Finucane said.
“I think with Craig it’s simplified because everyone has an individual role and it works well out there when everyone knows what’s required of them.
“I’ve been able to make more effective use of the ball.”
Despite the flares of temper you see on the TV, Bellamy is a very focused coach and provides good feedback to the players, as well as looking at every facet of the game.
“He gives credit where it’s due during our analyzing sessions and he is looking at a lot of the effort areas, not just your statistics like hit-ups or metres.”
And the coach puts value in the hard-hitting forward too, expressing obvious concern after Finucane’s ankle injury three weeks ago.
Finucane said he valued the two-week recovery period going straight through to the preliminary round.
“The extra week off really helped, I didn’t do any outside training, but just rehabilitation exercise and weights.
“I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to play in the preliminary, because we had no idea we’d be going through to the grand final.”
However, his ankle injury is well behind him and he is back to peak form to help the charge through the middle.
Of course the Storm gets plenty of attention from Victorian, and particularly Melbourne fans, but messages of support and praise have been flowing through from home this week too.
“It’s great to have the support from Bega, I’ve had a lot of messages now that we’re through to the grand final, but honesty people have been behind me all year too and I’m grateful for that.”
The tackle that stumped the cowboys:
Finucane was indirectly responsible for the first try against the Cowboys for Melbourne three weeks ago, causing North Queensland to fumble the ball for winger Suliasi Vunivalu to blast 40-metres and score in the corner.
“I didn’t think about it too much at the time,” Finucane says with a laugh.
“I guess it was a bit lucky that right place at the right time kind of thing.
“I think it was on the fifth tackle and we knew the Cowboys like to push out wide for a late kick so I was just thinking about ‘staying alive’ and protecting my area.”