The Dragons are pleased to announce that promising outside back Sione Finau has agreed to a contract extension that will keep him at the club until at least the end of the 2025 season.
The deal will see the 21-year-old promoted to the top 30 NRL squad for both seasons.
Hailing from Wallan in country Victoria, Finau joined the Red V over the offseason along with older brother Haele and has scored 14 tries from his 22 Knock On Effect NSW Cup appearances this year.
Finau is grateful to be able to extend his stay at the Red V which he says feels “like home now”.
“It was one of the biggest decisions I’ve ever made,” Finau said.
“I just think I’ve built something here along with the boys. I’ve fitted in pretty well with the culture that the boys have and just the bond. It feels like I’ve grown up here, like I’ve been here for a long time even though it’s only been a year. I’m enjoying it… It’s like home now. I love it here. I love the Dragons.”
Finau has enjoyed a strong year at Knock On Effect NSW Cup level under head coach Bronx Goodwin and is looking forward to the effect that Shane Flanagan has on the club next season.
“This year has been the best year that I’ve ever played. I’ve grown up as a player and played my best footy… I had a meeting with Flanno, which was pretty good.” he said.
“I was a bit nervous my first time meeting him, but he was pretty straightforward. He gave me a bit of insight on what’s going to happen. I took in his points, and it really helped me with my decision… He’s already spoken to me about the changes that are going to happen. I really believe that the club’s going to go somewhere next year, especially with all the rookies coming through.”
Finau credits his older brother for the role he has played in keeping him motivated throughout the past few years away from home.
“We’ve done everything together. We’ve grown up with each other. Last year, we moved out of home and that wasn’t easy. It’s been already two years away from home where it’s just been me and him. We’ve been motivating each other and helping each other with our game doing extras and everything. He’s been really good,” he said.
“We played together in school in Melbourne which is probably the last time we’ve played together. This year, it’s been good in Cup together. It’s been really good.”
Finau’s rugby league journey is not your typical one with the Victorian junior having proven himself in the Melbourne Storm system before relocating to Brisbane and eventually Wollongong.
“I grew up in a country town in Victoria. There wasn’t much going on there, so I went to school like half-an-hour away from where I stayed," he said.
“Shoutout to the Sunbury Tigers. I played all my junior footy there. I came up through the Melbourne system which was good. There was just a point, when you reach a certain age, you don’t know where to go which made me move to the Brisbane Tigers. That’s where I played some good footy and got noticed to come here."
Finau joins a recent collection of youngsters including Dylan Egan, Nick Tsougranis, Hamish Stewart and Savelio Tamale to have inked contract upgrades and extensions with the club.
