Finch convinces Duffie to stay at Storm - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Finch convinces Duffie to stay at Storm

Melissa Woods 18/04/2011 02:39:44 PM Comments (0)

League journeyman Brett Finch is still scoring points for the Melbourne Storm from the other side of the world.

Finch left the Storm NRL club to play for English side Wigan this year but has helped convince emerging star Matt Duffie to re-sign with Melbourne until 2014 rather than take up a big money offer with Parramatta.

The 20-year-old Kiwi winger spoke to Finch about his playing future because after playing with four NRL outfits - including Parramatta - as well as Wigan - what the 29-year-old doesn't know about clubs isn't worth knowing.

Finch had an acrimonious split from the Eels early in 2009 when he fell out with then coach Daniel Anderson, which resulted in him joining the Storm.

"Brett gave me a text and a few phone calls while I was going through the process, he was a big help to me," Duffie said on Monday.

"He told me he's been to a lot of clubs and he thought Melbourne was the best he's seen."

Duffie seriously considered joining former Storm assistants, Stephen Kearney and Brad Arthur at the Eels.

Kearney is the New Zealand Test coach and Arthur was his winning Toyota Cup coach, but in the end Duffie felt his future was bright in Melbourne.

The recent contract extensions of star fullback Billy Slater as well as Kevin Proctor and Ryan Hinchcliffe helped ease his mind.

"With Billy re-signing and Cam (skipper Cameron Smith) still being here until 2014 ... it was a good thing for me to see that they were on board as well."

He hoped his decision may sway promising five-eighth Gareth Widdop to also stay.

"I'd love him to stay because we played under-20s together but he's got family to think of now, so it's up to him."

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy was elated to have Duffie, who is leading the side's tryscoring tally this season, on board.

"He is a great kid to coach, he has good pace and can find the try line," Bellamy said.

"Most importantly, he has a strong desire to improve and is willing to learn, which is vital for him to become the player we all believe he can be."

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