Melbourne forward Dale Finucane concedes the salary cap could mean he's enticed out of the Storm after admitting he's "considering all options" for 2022.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Finucane is off-contract at the end of this year and wants his NRL future sorted soon, but is yet to receive an offer from Melbourne.
A NSW State of Origin player, there is no doubt the 29-year-old could command big money on the open market and says he has had talks with other NRL clubs.
Up to five of Melbourne's NRL rivals are understood to have shown some interest in Finucane, with several waiting on how other moves play out.
That is likely to leave the Storm in a bind.
While making Finucane co-captain this year shows how highly he is valued by Melbourne, they have a salary cap squeeze to contend with.
The Storm have recently signed Xavier Coates to replace Josh Addo-Carr on the wing, while Harry Grant and Ryan Papenhuyzen will require sizeable contract upgrades after Jahrome Hughes received one this year.
"I'm certainly considering all options," Finucane said.
"I had that preliminary conversation at the beginning of the year in regards to the club wanting to keep me here.
"But there obviously are some salary cap issues.
"I've had some conversations with some other clubs. I've spoke to a few people at other clubs.
"It's something I would like to have sorted as soon as possible. My preference would be to not have it linger on for too much longer."
Since moving to Melbourne in 2015, Finucane became a father for the first time two years ago and any decision will now very much be in his family's interest.
There would be several clubs interested in him now that it is apparent his future at Melbourne is not a foregone conclusion.
Brisbane, Canterbury, North Queensland and Wests Tigers could desperately do with his leadership and experience in the middle next season.
The Tigers have Moses Mbye ready to be released at the end of this year, while the Bulldogs and Melbourne are waiting on a decision on Brandon Smith's future.
But Finucane is also mindful of the success he has had at the Storm, after winning premierships in 2017 and 2020, with the club still very much in a title window.
"It is certainly a juggling act," he said.
"Those things definitely go into it, what the club's done for me and on the flip side of that every club does have a salary cap.
"Looking back from our 2016 grand final side, there were five people that had to be moved on from that side purely from a salary cap perspective.
"So I understand the nature of the business."
Australian Associated Press
