Brett Finch
Encyclopedia
Brett Finch is an Australian professional rugby league
footballer for the Wigan Warriors
of the Super League
. A New South Wales State of Origin representative representative halfback or five-eighth, he previously played for the Canberra Raiders
, Sydney Roosters
, Parramatta Eels
and Melbourne Storm
before moving to Wigan.
Son of former player Robert Finch, while attending Erindale College, Brett played for the Australian Schoolboys team in 1998. At the Canberra Raiders he won the club's rookie of the year award.
Brett Finch has played three State of Origin
games for New South Wales
since crossing from the Canberra Raiders. His most famous moment was when he was called into the New South Wales squad on the eve of Game 1 of the 2006 series. He then turned out to be a hero by scoring a try, setting up two and by kicking the winning field goal to push New South Wales to a famous 17–16 victory at Telstra Stadium
. However Finch had a disastrous Game II, and was dropped for the decider which New South Wales lost. They also lost the 2006 series for the first time since 2001.
In 2004, Brett Finch, whilst playing for the Sydney Roosters
, threw a bottle back into the crowd after he was pelted by a Canterbury Bulldogs fan. The fan was banned for life from NRL Games, while Brett Finch was suspended for 3 weeks
The Roosters and Finch agreed on an early termination of his contract, allowing the Parramatta Eels to sign Finch on a two year deal from the Roosters, commencing from the 2007 season. The Eels then extended his contract to the end of the 2011 season, reportedly to be worth $1 million for 3 years.
On 8 April 2009, Parramatta CEO, Denis Fitzgerald
, confirmed that Finch would be released from his contract with the Eels. The contract was not due to expire until the end of the 2011 season. Finch is quoted in media sources as stating that coach Daniel Anderson
told him he "may not be the right person to take the club forward in the halfback position".
On 14 April 2009, Finch signed a one year contract with the Melbourne Storm
. The Storm will be his fourth club in eleven NRL seasons. Storm coach Craig Bellamy commented: "He will add depth and experience to our squad and gives us further options in the halves."
He got his revenge beating his old team, Paramatta, in the 2009 grand final
, setting up 2 tries. This victory was also third time lucky for Finch, having lost two Grand Finals with the Roosters (2003
and 2004, the latter of which was Brad Fittler
's farewell match).
In 2010 Finch was the 18th man in the New South Wales Blues Squad.
In July 2010, Finch signed with then Super League
champions, Wigan Warriors
. The deal began with the 2011 season and runs through the 2012 season. Finch did not make his debut for Wigan until March 25, 2011 in the home defeat to Warrington Wolves in round 7 of the super league, where Finch scored Wigan's only try. Finch missed the start of the season due to a thigh injury which saw him miss 6 games for the Warriors, including 5 super league games and the World club challenge defeat to St George Illawarra Dragons on February 27, 2011.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballer for the Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
of the Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
. A New South Wales State of Origin representative representative halfback or five-eighth, he previously played for the Canberra Raiders
Canberra Raiders
The Canberra Raiders are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the national capital city of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. They have competed in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership since 1982...
, Sydney Roosters
Sydney Roosters
The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League...
, Parramatta Eels
Parramatta Eels
The Parramatta Eels are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta. The Parramatta District Rugby League Football Club was formed in 1947, with their First Grade side playing their first season in the New South Wales Rugby Football League...
and Melbourne Storm
Melbourne Storm
The Melbourne Storm are an Australian professional rugby league club based in the city of Melbourne. They are the first fully professional rugby league team based in the Australian rules football-dominated state of Victoria....
before moving to Wigan.
Son of former player Robert Finch, while attending Erindale College, Brett played for the Australian Schoolboys team in 1998. At the Canberra Raiders he won the club's rookie of the year award.
Brett Finch has played three State of Origin
Rugby League State of Origin
State of Origin is an annual best of three series of rugby league football matches contested by the Maroons and the Blues, who represent the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales respectively...
games for New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
since crossing from the Canberra Raiders. His most famous moment was when he was called into the New South Wales squad on the eve of Game 1 of the 2006 series. He then turned out to be a hero by scoring a try, setting up two and by kicking the winning field goal to push New South Wales to a famous 17–16 victory at Telstra Stadium
Telstra Stadium
Stadium Australia, currently also known as ANZ Stadium due to naming rights, formerly known as Telstra Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium located in the Sydney Olympic Park precinct of Homebush Bay...
. However Finch had a disastrous Game II, and was dropped for the decider which New South Wales lost. They also lost the 2006 series for the first time since 2001.
In 2004, Brett Finch, whilst playing for the Sydney Roosters
Sydney Roosters
The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League...
, threw a bottle back into the crowd after he was pelted by a Canterbury Bulldogs fan. The fan was banned for life from NRL Games, while Brett Finch was suspended for 3 weeks
The Roosters and Finch agreed on an early termination of his contract, allowing the Parramatta Eels to sign Finch on a two year deal from the Roosters, commencing from the 2007 season. The Eels then extended his contract to the end of the 2011 season, reportedly to be worth $1 million for 3 years.
On 8 April 2009, Parramatta CEO, Denis Fitzgerald
Denis Fitzgerald
Denis William Fitzgerald, OAM, is an Australian former rugby league footballer and former Chief Executive Officer of the Parramatta Eels....
, confirmed that Finch would be released from his contract with the Eels. The contract was not due to expire until the end of the 2011 season. Finch is quoted in media sources as stating that coach Daniel Anderson
Daniel Anderson (rugby league)
Daniel Anderson is an Australian rugby league football coach. Anderson previously coached in Australia, New Zealand and England and is particularly noted for his work with the development of younger players.-Early years:...
told him he "may not be the right person to take the club forward in the halfback position".
On 14 April 2009, Finch signed a one year contract with the Melbourne Storm
Melbourne Storm
The Melbourne Storm are an Australian professional rugby league club based in the city of Melbourne. They are the first fully professional rugby league team based in the Australian rules football-dominated state of Victoria....
. The Storm will be his fourth club in eleven NRL seasons. Storm coach Craig Bellamy commented: "He will add depth and experience to our squad and gives us further options in the halves."
He got his revenge beating his old team, Paramatta, in the 2009 grand final
2009 NRL Grand Final
The 2009 NRL Grand Final was a rugby league football game played on 4 October 2009 at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney. It was the 12th annual championship game of the National Rugby League staged to decide the premiers of the 2009 NRL season....
, setting up 2 tries. This victory was also third time lucky for Finch, having lost two Grand Finals with the Roosters (2003
2003 NRL grand final
The 2003 NRL grand final was the conclusive and premiership-deciding match of the 2003 NRL season. In what was a contest of Sydney's east versus west, defending premiers and match favourites, the Sydney Roosters played against minor premiers and underdogs, the Penrith Panthers...
and 2004, the latter of which was Brad Fittler
Brad Fittler
Bradley Scott "Freddie" Fittler AM is an Australian professional rugby league football coach and former player. The current coach of NSW City team in the City vs. Country clash, he coached in the NRL for the Sydney Roosters between 2007 and 2009. As a player, Fittler captained both New South Wales...
's farewell match).
In 2010 Finch was the 18th man in the New South Wales Blues Squad.
In July 2010, Finch signed with then Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
champions, Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
. The deal began with the 2011 season and runs through the 2012 season. Finch did not make his debut for Wigan until March 25, 2011 in the home defeat to Warrington Wolves in round 7 of the super league, where Finch scored Wigan's only try. Finch missed the start of the season due to a thigh injury which saw him miss 6 games for the Warriors, including 5 super league games and the World club challenge defeat to St George Illawarra Dragons on February 27, 2011.