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Bellamy plumps for Finucane for Blues

3 minute read

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy says NSW selectors can't overlook Storm's hard-working lock Dale Finucane.

Coach of the Storm CRAIG BELLAMY looks on during a Melbourne Storm Training Session at Gosch's Paddock in Melbourne, Australia.
Coach of the Storm CRAIG BELLAMY looks on during a Melbourne Storm Training Session at Gosch's Paddock in Melbourne, Australia. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy will be bitterly disappointed if Dale Finucane is again overlooked by NSW Origin selectors, saying his lock can't do anything more to get picked.

The 27-year-old has been one of the Storm's most consistent performers and Bellamy said he deserved a chance.

"For me, I think he has in the past, but this year I think he's gone up another level and I can't see how they can leave him out," Bellamy said as he prepared for Storm's NRL clash with the Bulldogs at Belmore Oval on Sunday.

"He's such a hard worker, he plays long minutes, he can pass the footy, he can tackle and the big part about Dale is that he's one of the best clubmen I've ever coached.

"Whatever the team needs him to do he's only too happy to do it ... I will be very disappointed if he doesn't get picked."

With Jack De Belin unavailable, Finucane is up against Manly's Jake Trbojevic, Souths' Cam Murray, and Sydney Rooster Victor Radley for the No.13 jersey or a bench role for the June 5 opener in Brisbane.

A former NSW coach, Bellamy said that last season current coach Brad Fittler and selectors sought his opinion but he hadn't heard from the Blues camp this year.

"I haven't heard anything this year so hopefully they don't need my opinion on Dale and they've made that opinion themselves that they can't leave him out."

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