Billy Slater has given a fantastic insight into the career of Dale Finucane, after the NRL hardman was forced into early retirement due to repeated concussions.
The 32-year-old announced he would hang up the boots effective immediately last week, bringing an end to a phenomenal career that spanned over a decade and 250 games.
Finucane won premierships at the Storm, represented NSW in the representative arena and forged a legacy as one of rugby league's true warriors.
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Slater spent four seasons playing alongside the tough middle-forward and in the latest edition of Wide World of Sports' Billy Slater Podcast, paid tribute to his former teammate.
"You'll be searching far and wide to find a bad word said about Dale Finucane," he said.
"He's one of the real good guys in our game, he's a great fella and a real good teammate. Everyone strives to be the player that their teammates wants to play for, and I don't think any player actually typifies that better than Dale Finucane.
"He wouldn't have a teammate that he's played with, whether it was at the Bulldogs, Storm, Cronulla Sharks or NSW, that wouldn't love playing with Dale Finucane.
"He just does all the team things really well and he's such an intense guy."
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Finucane tasted premiership success with Melbourne in 2017 and 2020, featuring alongside some of the all-time greats in Slater, Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk.
But according to the legendary fullback, Finucane was the man who set the tone on the training paddock at the Storm during his seven-year tenure.
"I remember going out to training, everyone is relaxed – but as soon as Dale walks onto the field, he sprints across to the other side, touches the sideline and sprinted back," Slater said.
"You always knew Dale was ready to go and his preparation was as elite as anyone.
"Congratulations to him on his career, what a wonderful player – he is such high achiever in our game and he has earnt everything that he has got.
"Obviously it's disappointing for him to go out prematurely, but I think it's a good decision from him."
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