Victorian raised local juniors are a rare find at the Melbourne Storm and now St George Illawarra have landed a blow, poaching rising brothers Haele and Sione Finau.
The Storm were eager to retain the duo, having invested in their development, but an opportunity to earn top-30 rosters spots together, and one day play in the NRL side-by-side, was an offer too hard for the brothers to refuse.
Hooker Haele, 22, has signed a one year full-time training deal that will turn into a top-30 spot in 2024.
While veteran rake Andrew McCullough has opted against retirement and will play out the final year of his deal, dummy half is a position that the Dragons have tried to shore up in the off-season.
Wests Tigers hooker Jacob Liddle was released to join the Red V on a one-year deal in 2023.
Player agent Michael Cincotta, who represents both brothers, said Haele is viewed as a long-term prospect for the No.9 jumper.
Melbourne local juniors and brothers Sione (left) and Haele Finau have signed with the Dragons. Photo: Brisbane Tigers
“Haele manipulates the ruck really well. He is quite explosive out of dummy half. He sees the game really well. I think he is going to be one of those players that can game manage from the hooker position,” Cincotta said.
“At the under-20s level he played halfback for Melbourne, too. He’s an exciting prospect because he can get over the line too.”
Outside back Sione, 20, has scored a development contract that will be upgraded to an NRL deal in 2024.
“Sione is a powerful runner, big, tall, rangy and he’s really quick when he hits his top speed. He’s got a really strong fend and good late footwork,” Cincotta said.
Haele captained the Thunderbolts Jersey Flegg side in 2020 before the competition was cancelled due to Covid 19.
That’s when Haele moved up north to join Melbourne’s feeder side, the Brisbane Tigers, where he made his Queensland Cup debut in 2021.
Sione joined his older brother 12 months later and impressed in the under-21s Hastings Deering Colts competition this year.
It’s understood two other Queensland clubs showed interest in the pair and Melbourne made an offer to retain the youngsters.
But the Dragons’ multi-year deal gave Haele, who had spent his time in Melbourne stuck behind some of the best dummy halves in the game, the best chance at making an NRL debut.
“For Haele, the hooker situation given Harry Grant, Brandon Smith ... even if you go as far back as Cameron Smith... that’s what he was dealing with for three years or so. It made sense to pick the Dragons, even though McCullough isn’t retiring. We just viewed it as a good avenue for him to play NRL,” Cincotta said.
Melbourne product Haele Finau has signed with the Dragons. Photo: Brisbane Tigers
“There were a few clubs that were interested, obviously Melbourne wanted to keep them, they knew the boys well and everything about them. Both had already done some pre-season work with the NRL side at different stages.”
Last week the Dragons added Zane Musgrove to their pack after the Tigers released the forward from the final year of his contract at Concord.
Musgrave agreed to a two-year deal with the Red V after veteran prop George Burgess was released from his contract.
Northern Pride front-rower Nick Lui-Toso has also been added to the Griffin’s top-30 for the 2023 season.
Outside back Tautau Moga, who played 10 games for the Red V this year, has signed a one-year extension with the club.
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