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7 months ago
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Cronulla enforcer Dale Finucane has announced his immediate retirement from the NRL on medical advice.
The Sharks co-captain, 32, was told by doctors to hang up his boots due to repeated head knocks across his decorated career.
Finucane confirmed the development on Tuesday alongside coach Craig Fitzgibbon.
The dual-premiership winner with the Melbourne Storm is contracted at the Sharks until the end of 2025 - but has been scuppered by injuries in recent times.
He missed the end of the 2023 season with a torn bicep and fractured his eye socket earlier this year, restricting him to only three appearances so far.
Cronulla enforcer co-captain Dale Finucane has announced his immediate retirement from the NRL on medical advice
The veteran lock won two premierships with the Melbourne Storm in 2017 and 2020
The Sharks co-captain, 32, was told by doctors to hang up his boots due to repeated head knocks - he is also a talented musician away from footy
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.
The lock has played 251 first-grade games, with the Sharks celebrating his 250th appearance in their round-two win over the Bulldogs in March.
Finucane has also played five State of Origin games for NSW in an impressive career which began in 2012.
Confirmation of Finucane's retirement follows AFL star Nathan Murphy recently quitting the sport to ensure he lives a 'full and healthy life' after suffering repeated concussions early in his career.
The defender, 24, won a premiership with Collingwood last year.
Murphy is the sixth AFL player to retire due to the effects of concussion in a 12-month period, joining Angus Brayshaw [Melbourne], Paddy McCartin [Sydney], Paul Seedsman [Adelaide], Marcus Adams [Brisbane] and Max Lynch [Hawthorn].
'I feel it is the right time and the right decision for me to hang up my footy boots,' Murphy said in a statement.
Nathan Murphy recently retired from the AFL due to repeated head knocks and concussion concerns
Collingwood star Nathan Murphy is the second AFL player to retire because of concussions this year, following Angus Brayshaw's announcement in February
As a key defender, Murphy would often throw his head into tough contests which played a role in the concussions that ended his career prematurely (pictured in the Grand Final last year)
'I love my football, but my priority is on my future and ensuring I live a full and healthy life.
'I'd like to thank the club, coaches, teammates, staff and the Magpie Army for all their support throughout my playing career and for allowing me the opportunity to live out my childhood dream of playing AFL.
'It is not lost on me how fortunate I am to have been able to experience premiership success with this group and club.
'I hope I did the jumper proud and thank the many people and supporters who helped me along the way.'
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