“I’ve been here seven years,played with some great players,enjoyed some success and had the chance to be coached by Craig[Bellamy],one of the best coaches in the history of the game,” Finucane said in a Storm statement.

“I’m going to miss the people here,the friendships I’ve made and the way the club is. It’s hard to put it into words how much Storm means to me. I’m honoured to have had the chance to experience this club,what it stands for,and I’ll always look fondly on my time here.”

“He will always be regarded as one of our very best.”

Storm general manager Frank Ponissi

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy was almost resigned to losing Finucane due to salary cap pressures when he spoke earlier in the week,likening his impending exit towhen Cooper Cronk and Greg Inglis left the Storm.

“Knowing Dale will be leaving at the end of the year makes this a sad day for us but one we expected,” Melbourne general manager Frank Ponissi said. “True to how Dale is,he has been totally professional and open with us during these contract discussions.

“He has brought some outstanding traits to the Storm,highlighted by his professionalism and leadership,and just being a good bloke who has time for everyone.

“Dale has made players around him better and will be sorely missed by everyone connected to Storm. He will always be regarded as one of our very best.”

Finucane has already played in six grand finals spanning stints at the Bulldogs and Storm - and will be expected to feature in another this year with table-topping Melbourne firming for back-to-back premierships.

The addition of noted leaders Finucane and McInnes will give Fitzgibbon the chance to cultivate the type of culture that has been so successful during his time as assistant to Trent Robinson at the Roosters.

“He is also someone who can help mentor our young team while setting standards and enhancing the culture we are looking to build,” Sharks general manager Darren Mooney said. “Dale was also impressed with the future vision,where the board and senior management is taking the club and is excited to be a part of that future.”

McInnes has been given approval to continue his rehabilitation from an ACL tear with the Sharks despite still being under contract with the Dragons.

Fitzgibbon is likely to pair Hynes and Matt Moylan in the halves next year with the latter signing a heavily-reduced one-year deal to stay at the Sharks after being injury plagued in recent seasons.

The club has already told Shaun Johnson,Aaron Woods and Josh Dugan they won’t be offered contracts beyond this season. Johnson willreturn to the New Zealand Warriors next year.

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