[h=1]Dale Finucane could be squeezed out of Canterbury Bulldogs[/h]DateDecember 6, 2014 - 10:00PM
[h=3]Adrian Proszenko[/h][h=4]Chief Rugby League Reporter[/h]View more articles from Adrian Proszenko
Follow Adrian on Twitter Email Adrian
Dale Finucane could be the next contracted player to shift in the off-season as a cloud emerges over his future at Canterbury-Bankstown.
The development comes as the Bulldogs table an offer to Sam Kasiano worth in excess of $1.5 million over three years to prevent him being poached by rivals.
Finucane is contracted to the Belmore outfit for next year and is a valued member of the Bulldogs. However, the depth of talent in their pack has left him struggling for game time, usually restricting him to an average of about 30 minutes per game.
The Bulldogs have told the 23-year-old and his manager the situation is unlikely to change in the future in a blow to his representative chances. The Bega product is capable of playing up to 80 minutes a game, an opportunity he would likely receive at a number of clubs in dire need of quality forwards.
Finucane made his debut for Country Origin this year and has been earmarked as a future NSW and Australian representative. However, the lack of opportunity to showcase his wares won't help his chances of higher honours.
Ironically, Finucane's management were approached by several clubs about the prospect of a release earlier this year, but the matter was never entertained because of his commitment to Canterbury.
Since then, the club has signed former international Antonio Kaufusi and utility Matt Frawley, adding to an impressive pack already containing Kasiano, James Graham, Greg Eastwood, Josh Jackson, David Klemmer, Aiden Tolman, Frank Pritchard, Tony Williams, Lloyd Perrett, Pat O'Hanlon and Tim Browne.
Reni Maitua, who was recently involved in another off-field incident, is also on the club's books but is tipped to announce his retirement.
Finucane has played 66 games for the club since making his NRL debut in 2012 and would like to stay. But the Bulldogs won't stand in his way if he has a better opportunity to progress his career elsewhere and would likely grant him an early release.
Cronulla, Melbourne and Manly are among the clubs that are still a forward short of completing their 2015 roster, although it's unclear whether they still have the salary cap funds required to poach a player of Finucane's standing.
If a suitable opportunity doesn't immediately arise, Finucane will stay put and then explore his options the following year.
Canterbury have made it clear that retaining Kasiano will be a top priority. Up to half a dozen clubs have expressed interest, with St George Illawarra one of the keenest for his services.
However, the Bulldogs don't want the New Zealand international testing his value on the open market and are moving to lock him up for the long term. With a dearth of quality props coming off contract, Kasiano is one of the hottest free agents.
- 43 reading now
- Be the first to comment
- Read later
[h=3]Adrian Proszenko[/h][h=4]Chief Rugby League Reporter[/h]View more articles from Adrian Proszenko
Follow Adrian on Twitter Email Adrian
- in[COLOR=#333333 !important]Share
Feeling the pinch: Dale Finucane. Photo: Anthony Johnson
The development comes as the Bulldogs table an offer to Sam Kasiano worth in excess of $1.5 million over three years to prevent him being poached by rivals.
Finucane is contracted to the Belmore outfit for next year and is a valued member of the Bulldogs. However, the depth of talent in their pack has left him struggling for game time, usually restricting him to an average of about 30 minutes per game.
The Bulldogs have told the 23-year-old and his manager the situation is unlikely to change in the future in a blow to his representative chances. The Bega product is capable of playing up to 80 minutes a game, an opportunity he would likely receive at a number of clubs in dire need of quality forwards.
Finucane made his debut for Country Origin this year and has been earmarked as a future NSW and Australian representative. However, the lack of opportunity to showcase his wares won't help his chances of higher honours.
Ironically, Finucane's management were approached by several clubs about the prospect of a release earlier this year, but the matter was never entertained because of his commitment to Canterbury.
Since then, the club has signed former international Antonio Kaufusi and utility Matt Frawley, adding to an impressive pack already containing Kasiano, James Graham, Greg Eastwood, Josh Jackson, David Klemmer, Aiden Tolman, Frank Pritchard, Tony Williams, Lloyd Perrett, Pat O'Hanlon and Tim Browne.
Reni Maitua, who was recently involved in another off-field incident, is also on the club's books but is tipped to announce his retirement.
Finucane has played 66 games for the club since making his NRL debut in 2012 and would like to stay. But the Bulldogs won't stand in his way if he has a better opportunity to progress his career elsewhere and would likely grant him an early release.
Cronulla, Melbourne and Manly are among the clubs that are still a forward short of completing their 2015 roster, although it's unclear whether they still have the salary cap funds required to poach a player of Finucane's standing.
If a suitable opportunity doesn't immediately arise, Finucane will stay put and then explore his options the following year.
Canterbury have made it clear that retaining Kasiano will be a top priority. Up to half a dozen clubs have expressed interest, with St George Illawarra one of the keenest for his services.
However, the Bulldogs don't want the New Zealand international testing his value on the open market and are moving to lock him up for the long term. With a dearth of quality props coming off contract, Kasiano is one of the hottest free agents.
