Melbourne recruit Dale Finucane looks set to fulfil his goal of more playing time in 2015 after playing an important role in the 32-30 NRL trial win over his former club Canterbury.
The Storm powered home with the last four tries of Saturday night’s match at AAMI Park to claim victory after trailing 30-12 midway trough the second half.
Opposing fullbacks Billy Slater and Brett Morris – in his first match in blue and white after crossing from St George Illawarra – both made successful returns after undergoing shoulder reconstructions.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy would also have been pleased with the efforts of new faces such as ex-Wigan five-eighth Blake Green and Finucane.
The 23-year-old forward played 66 matches for Canterbury – and was a member of the losing 2012 and 2014 grand final teams – but only averaged 30 minutes of on-field action per game in his time with the Dogs.
“It was pretty warm when we started the game so I was blowing out a little bit, “said Finucane.
“But the body feels pretty good and I felt really good out on the field.
“It’s been a really tough pre-season and that’s well known and well documented by all the other clubs that Melbourne are a club that train really hard.
“I’d like to develop into playing bigger minutes.
“It’s probably something I didn’t get the chance to do consistently at the Dogs but it’s something I’d love to develop here at Melbourne.”
Finucane was snapped up by the Storm who were looking for a replacement for NSW and Australian back-rower Ryan Hoffman, who has joined the Warriors.
“The Dogs were pretty full strength tonight and last year obviously they went all the way to the grand final, so to do well against them was really pleasing and a good sign leading into round one,” said Finucane.
Bulldogs prop David Klemmer was placed on report for an incident midway through the second half that saw most players come together for some push and shove.
Klemmer and Melbourne’s Felise Kaufusi were also sin-binned.
The Bulldogs begin their regular-season campaign away to Penrith on March 8, while the Storm travel to tackle St George Illawarra the following day.
