Tough forward Dale Finucane is close to rejecting big-money offers from rival clubs to remain with the Storm on a lesser deal.
Melbourne were resigned to losing their inspirational co-captain a month ago and haven't even been able to put an offer to the 29-year-old, while rival clubs are circling.
But Finucane's manager Andrew Purcell has revealed that money isn't everything to the former NSW State of Origin star and he may be prepared to stay in Victoria for a smaller deal.
"You have to look at the big picture and Dale fully understands that," Purcell told Wide World of Sports.
"He could go to a battling club and get a big payday, but would he be happy in the long run?
"He loves it in Melbourne and could be playing his seventh grand final this year – how many players in the modern era can say that?
"They want to keep him and it's just a question of waiting and seeing what they come up with."
Finucane was resigned to moving on a month ago but the loss of Nicho Hynes to Cronulla gives them more wiggle room in the salary cap.
Finucane is a priority for Storm coach Craig Bellamy, who is well aware of his influence on and off the field as a leader.
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