Finucane 'considering all options' as Storm battle cap pressure

Co-captain Dale Finucane is "certainly considering" leaving Melbourne, following in the footsteps of old teammates who have moved on due to salary cap pressure taking hold at the premiers.

As reported by NRL.com two weeks ago, Finucane has met with at least two rival clubs in exploring his market value and is looking to fast-track a decision on his long-term future.

The Dragons, Tigers, Bulldogs and Cowboys are understood to have expressed interest in the NSW Origin lock, who turns 30 in September.

Finucane is yet to receive an extension offer from the Storm and is well aware of the roster turnover that follows successful campaigns at the club.

Melbourne's cavalcade of strong middle forwards, extension plans for Ryan Papenhuyzen and Harry Grant, and Brandon Smith's complicated contract scenario make for a delicate salary cap juggling act.

"I'm certainly considering all options," Finucane said leading into Saturday's trip to Canberra.

"I had that preliminary conversation at the beginning of the year in regards to the club wanting to keep me here.

"But there obviously are some salary cap issues. It's something I would like to have sorted as soon as possible.

"I've had some conversations with some other clubs. I've spoke to a few people at other clubs. But as it is at the moment I haven't had a term or monetary figure.

"It is certainly a juggling act. What the club's done for me and on the flip side of that, every club does have a salary cap.

"Looking back to say our 2016 grand final side, there were five people that had to be moved on from that side purely from a salary cap perspective. So I understand the nature of the business.

"It's something I'd like to have sorted as soon as possible."

Finucane has risen to succeed Cameron Smith as a leader alongside Jesse Bromwich after joining the club from Canterbury in 2014.

He ranks as one of the game's most reliable middle forwards with an impressive six grand final appearances (for two premierships) from 10 NRL seasons.

With a two-year-old son named Freddy, he and his partner Maddie will balance "lifestyle factors" in his next career move against the success and development he's enjoyed in the Storm system.

"It's funny when I was younger, I never really considered the fact that when people say that they're doing things for their families," Finucane said.

"But I completely understand that now. There are so many different factors that come into it. Obviously money comes into it for players as well, but lifestyle factors come into it.

"The success of the club you are at. There are just so many different things you have to prioritise as a player. To keep yourself happy as a person but your family as well.

"In my case I have a bit of a younger family size, so working out and prioritising what's best for them is my most important decision when factoring decisions.

"… My preference would be to not have it linger on for too much longer. The earlier we can get it done the better."