View source for Brett Finch

{{Short description|Australian rugby league footballer}}
{{pp-protected|small=yes}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name           = Brett Finch
|fullname       = Brett John Finch
|nickname       = Rock Spider
|image          = Brett Finch 2011.jpg
|caption        = 
|position       = {{rlp|FE|HB}}
|birth_date     = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1981|8|20}}
|birth_place    = [[Maitland, New South Wales]], Australia
|retired        = yes
|height         = {{convert|183|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
|weight         = {{convert|89|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.wiganwarriors.com/WPlayerP.aspx?id=38|title= Wigan Warriiors Player Profile Brett Finch|work= web page|publisher= wiganwarriors.com|access-date= 16 August 2011|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110314192527/http://www.wiganwarriors.com/WPlayerP.aspx?id=38|archive-date= 14 March 2011|df= dmy-all}}</ref>
|club1          = [[Canberra Raiders]]
|year1start     = 1999
|year1end       = 02
|appearances1   = 70
|tries1         = 22
|goals1         = 0
|fieldgoals1    = 2
|points1        = 90
|club2          = [[Sydney Roosters]]
|year2start     = 2003
|year2end       = 06
|appearances2   = 95
|tries2         = 31
|goals2         = 0
|fieldgoals2    = 6
|points2        = 130
|club3          = [[Parramatta Eels]]
|year3start     = 2007
|year3end       = 09
|appearances3   = 51
|tries3         = 7
|goals3         = 0
|fieldgoals3    = 2
|points3        = 30
|club4          = [[Melbourne Storm]]
|year4start     = 2009
|year4end       = 10
|appearances4   = 41
|tries4         = 6
|goals4         = 1
|fieldgoals4    = 2
|points4        = 28
|club5          = [[Wigan Warriors]]
|year5start     = 2011
|year5end       = 12
|appearances5   = 60
|tries5         = 18
|goals5         = 0
|fieldgoals5    = 0
|points5        = 72
|club6          = [[Melbourne Storm]]
|year6start     = 2013
|year6end       =
|appearances6   = 13
|tries6         = 0
|goals6         = 0
|fieldgoals6    = 0
|points6        = 0
|teamA          = [[New South Wales rugby league team|New South Wales]]
|yearAstart     = 2004
|yearAend       = 06
|appearancesA   = 3
|triesA         = 1
|goalsA         = 0
|fieldgoalsA    = 1
|pointsA        = 5
|teamB          = [[Prime Minister's XIII]]
|yearBstart     = 2005
|yearBend       = 
|appearancesB   = 1
|triesB         = 1
|goalsB         = 0
|fieldgoalsB    = 0
|pointsB        = 4
|teamC          = [[Country New South Wales rugby league team|Country NSW]]
|yearCstart     = 2006
|yearCend       = 08
|appearancesC   = 2
|triesC         = 0
|goalsC         = 0
|fieldgoalsC    = 0
|pointsC        = 0
|teamD          = [[All Stars Match|NRL All Stars]]
|yearDstart     = 2010
|yearDend       =
|appearancesD   = 1
|triesD         = 0
|goalsD         = 0
|fieldgoalsD    = 0
|pointsD        = 0
|updated        =
|source         = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/brett-finch/summary.html|title=Brett Finch - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project|first=Shawn Dollin and Andrew|last=Ferguson|website=Rugbyleagueproject.org|accessdate=15 November 2017}}</ref>
| module       = {{infobox person
| embed        = yes
| father       = [[Robert Finch (rugby league)|Robert Finch]]
| mother       = 
| spouse       = 
| education    = [[Erindale College (Wanniassa, Australian Capital Territory)|Erindale College]]
| alma_mater   = 
| relatives    = 
}}
}}

'''Brett John Finch''' (born 20 August 1981) is an Australian former professional [[rugby league]] footballer who played in the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s. A [[New South Wales rugby league team|New South Wales]] [[State of Origin series|State of Origin]] representative half back, he played in the [[National Rugby League]] for Australian clubs the [[Canberra Raiders]], [[Sydney Roosters]], [[Parramatta Eels]] and [[Melbourne Storm]]. Finch also played in the [[Super League]] for English club the [[Wigan Warriors]] (with whom he won the [[2011 Challenge Cup]] Final).

==Background==
Born in [[Maitland, New South Wales|Maitland, New South Wales, Australia]], the son of former player [[Robert Finch (rugby league)|Robert Finch]]. Finch  was educated at [[Erindale College (Wanniassa, Australian Capital Territory)|Erindale College]], where he represented [[Australian Schoolboys rugby league team|1998 Australian Schoolboys]].<ref>{{cite web|title=SportingPulse Homepage for Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League|url=http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=7-2130-0-0-0&sID=26424|access-date=10 October 2008|publisher=SportingPulse|archive-date=31 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131030043/http://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=7-2130-0-0-0&sID=26424|url-status=dead}}</ref>

He was a [[Hunter Mariners]] junior,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110518112542/http://www.rl1908.com/Clubs/Hunter-Mariners.htm Hunter Mariners] ''1908.com''</ref> playing for [[Valentine-Eleebana Red Devils|Valentine Devils]].

==Playing career==
At the [[Canberra Raiders]], Finch won the club's Rookie of the Year award in 1999.{{cn|date=October 2024}} He debuted earlier in that year against the [[Melbourne Storm]] in round 14 as a 17-year-old.

Finch joined the Sydney Roosters in 2003. As [[2002 NRL Premiership|2002 NRL premiers]], the Roosters travelled to England for the [[2003 World Club Challenge]] against [[Super League]] champions, [[St Helens R.F.C.]] Finch played from the interchange bench in Sydney's victory. In 2004, whilst playing for the Sydney Roosters, Finch threw a bottle back into the crowd after he was pelted by a [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]] fan.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/03/31/1080544561722.html?from=storyrhs| work=The Sydney Morning Herald| title=Don't do your bottle: NRL cautions Roosters star| date=1 April 2004}}</ref> Finch played for the Sydney Roosters  at half back in their [[2004 NRL grand final]] loss to cross-Sydney rivals, [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs|Canterbury-Bankstown]].

Finch played three [[Rugby League State of Origin|State of Origin]] games for [[New South Wales rugby league team|New South Wales]] after crossing from Canberra. His most famous moment was when he was called into the New South Wales squad on the eve of Game 1 of the [[2006 State of Origin 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{{cn|date=October 2024}}, and was dropped for the decider which New South Wales lost. They also lost the 2006 series for the first time since 2001.
[[File:Brett Finch (10 August 2008).jpg|250px|thumb|left|Finch while playing for Parramatta in 2008]]
The Sydney 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 NRL season]].{{cn|date=October 2024}} The Parramatta club then extended his contract to the end of the [[2011 NRL season]], reportedly to be worth $1 million for three years.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

On 8 April 2009, Parramatta CEO, [[Denis Fitzgerald]], confirmed that Finch would be released from his contract with Parramatta. The contract was not due to expire until the end of the [[2011 NRL season]]. Finch is quoted in media sources as stating that coach [[Daniel Anderson (rugby league)|Daniel Anderson]] told him he "may not be the right person to take the club forward in the halfback position".<ref>{{cite news|publisher=Fox Sports News (Australia)|title=Finch walks out on Eels|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25307359-23214,00.html|access-date=8 April 2009| date=8 April 2009}}</ref>

On 14 April 2009, Finch signed a one-year contract with the Melbourne Storm, his fourth club in eleven NRL seasons. Melbourne coach [[Craig Bellamy (rugby league)|Craig Bellamy]] commented: "He will add depth and experience to our squad and gives us further options in the halves."<ref>
{{cite news|work=[[The Australian]]|title=Brett Finch signs short-term deal with Melbourne Storm|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25333089-2722,00.html|access-date=14 April 2009|date=14 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415214131/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25333089-2722,00.html|archive-date=15 April 2009|url-status=dead}}
</ref>

He got his revenge beating his old team, Parramatta, in the [[2009 NRL Grand Final]], setting up two tries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nrl.com/telstrapremiership/telstrapremiershipscores/tabid/10240/roundid/833/fixtureid/5801/infotabid/3/default.aspx |title=Storm v Eels Grand Final 2009 - NRL Match Result Statistics |access-date=1 March 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003020642/http://www.nrl.com/telstrapremiership/telstrapremiershipscores/tabid/10240/roundid/833/fixtureid/5801/infotabid/3/default.aspx |archive-date=3 October 2009 }}</ref> However, the NRL later discovered significant salary cap breaches and stripped the Melbourne club of this win. This made it third time unlucky for Finch, having lost two Grand Finals with the Roosters ([[2003 NRL grand final|2003]] and 2004).  Despite the club being stripped of the 2009 premiership, Finch maintained the belief years later that their grand final victory was legitimate and that he is a premiership winning player.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/storm/how-cooper-cronk-phone-call-to-brett-finch-changed-the-path-of-an-nrl-wild-child/news-story/5126e00834fb9211a662ab3d3b5e24d4/|title=How Cooper Cronk phone call to Brett Finch changed the path of an NRL wild child|website=foxsports.com.au|date=4 April 2017 }}</ref>

In July 2010, Finch signed with then [[Super League]] champions, [[Wigan Warriors|Wigan]].  The deal began with the 2011 season and continued through the 2012 season.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/brett-finch-ryan-hoffman-jeff-lima-leave-melbourne-storm/story-e6frexnr-1225894283214| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120922141041/http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/brett-finch-ryan-hoffman-jeff-lima-leave-melbourne-storm/story-e6frexnr-1225894283214| archive-date = 22 September 2012| title = Brett Finch, Ryan Hoffman, Jeff Lima leave Melbourne Storm {{!}} thetelegraph.com.au}}</ref> Finch did not make his début for Wigan until 25 March 2011 in the home defeat by [[Warrington Wolves|Warrington]] 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 Wigan, including fiveSuper League games and the [[2011 World Club Challenge]] defeat by [[St. George Illawarra Dragons|St. George Illawarra]].

Finch played in the [[2011 Challenge Cup Final]] 28–18 victory over [[Leeds Rhinos|Leeds]] at [[Wembley Stadium]].<ref>{{cite news|last=wiganwarriors.com|title=Wigan are 2011 Cup Champions|url=http://www.rleague.com/content/article.php?id=40914|access-date=21 November 2019|newspaper=rleague.com|date=28 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620135402/http://www.rleague.com/content/article.php?id=40914|archive-date=20 June 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Scott|first=Ged|title=Leeds 18-28 Wigan|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/14670204|access-date=21 November 2019|newspaper=[[BBC Sport]]|date=27 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=therfl.co.uk|title=Challenge Cup: Lima inspires Wigan win|url=http://www.rleague.com/content/article.php?id=40911|access-date=26 August 2012|newspaper=rleague.com|date=28 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620125551/http://www.rleague.com/content/article.php?id=40911|archive-date=20 June 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Brown|first=Oliver|title=Challenge Cup final: Leeds Rhinos 18 Wigan Warriors 28|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyleague/8727501/Challenge-Cup-final-Leeds-Rhinos-18-Wigan-Warriors-28.html|access-date=21 November 2019|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=27 August 2011}}</ref>

After his two-year stint at Wigan, Finch returned to the Melbourne Storm for the [[2013 NRL season]]. He joined the team as a back-up to halves pairing [[Cooper Cronk]] and [[Gareth Widdop]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nrl.com.au/finch-hopes-for-world-club-challenge-start/tabid/10874/newsid/70669/default.aspx|title=Finch hopes for world club challenge start|publisher=Nrl.com.au|access-date=4 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413131453/http://nrl.com.au/finch-hopes-for-world-club-challenge-start/tabid/10874/newsid/70669/default.aspx|archive-date=13 April 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Post playing==
After retiring at the end of 2013, Finch worked as a sideline commentator on Channel Nine's NRL coverage between 2014 and 2016, as well as semi-regular appearances as a panellist on ''[[The Footy Show (rugby league)|The NRL Footy Show]]''. He departed Channel 9 at the end of 2016, citing mental health issues.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

In 2017, Finch began working for [[Fox Sports (Australia)|Fox Sports]].{{cn|date=October 2024}}

In 2018, Finch married his partner of 5 years Elli Johnston, who in 2019 gave birth to the couple's only daughter.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news/2017/08/24/where-are-they-now--brett-finch/|title = Where are they now – Brett Finch|date = 23 August 2017}}</ref> In May 2023, it was reported that the two were "no longer together".<ref>{{cite web | title=Brett Finch splits from wife in wake of child abuse material scandal | website=news | date=8 May 2023 | url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/brett-finch-splits-from-wife-elli-johnston-in-wake-of-child-abuse-material-scandal/news-story/dd0460a00362d75ca19ea338fcf2b2f3 | access-date=25 February 2024}}</ref>

On 24 October 2019, [[Sydney Morning Herald|''The Sydney Morning Herald'']] reported that Finch checked himself into a mental health facility after an incident on an interstate flight. Concerns were raised after Finch was seen asleep with a bloody nose on a flight from [[Sydney]] to the [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]]. One witness was quoted as saying "He looked like he couldn’t bring himself to get off the plane. White as a ghost, couldn’t control his runny nose and (appeared) paranoid. He wasn’t abusive. He just didn’t want to get off the plane, like he was scared about something".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/bloodied-brett-finch-checks-into-mental-health-facility-again-report-20191024-p53428.html/|title=Bloodied Brett Finch checks into mental health facility again: report|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=24 October 2019}}</ref>

In late September, Finch joined the YKTR Sports organisation, run by former rugby league player Isaac John. On 30 September, Finch launched his podcast, Brett Finch Uncensored, with [[Brad Fittler]] featuring as his first guest.<ref>{{cite web| url-status = live| archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/Mg7symDoYHQ| archive-date = 5 December 2021| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mg7symDoYHQ&ab_channel=YKTR| title = BRAD FITTLER: BRETT FINCH UNCENSORED PODCAST 001 | via=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The podcast ran independently to YKTR Sports.

==Child abuse material==
On 14 December 2021, Finch was arrested and charged with five counts of sharing child abuse material.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/brett-finch-former-nrl-player-charged-with-sharing-child-abuse-material/bd96d4ba-5342-42fb-b3eb-bd88b8579b21/|title=Former NRL player Brett Finch charged with sharing child abuse material|website=9news.com.au|date=14 December 2021 }}</ref>
In May 2022, NSW Police laid an additional two charges which included using a carriage service to make available child abuse material.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/brett-finchs-child-abuse-material-court-matter-delayed/news-story/282b7e2fcd912e214036b909c5378841/|title=Brett Finch's child abuse material court matter delayed|website=news.com.au}}</ref> In August 2022, Finch pleaded guilty to one count of using a carriage service to make available child abuse material. The other charges were dropped.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Georgina |date=16 August 2022 |title=Ex-NRL star pleads guilty to sharing written child abuse material |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/ex-nrl-star-pleads-guilty-to-sharing-child-sex-abuse-material-20220816-p5ba98.html |access-date=16 August 2022 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref>
On 23 November 2022, Finch avoided a custodial sentence and was handed a two-year community sentence. A conviction was recorded with Finch also needing to obey strict probation conditions along with seeing a psychologist for a 12-month period.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-23/brett-finch-avoids-jail-over-child-sex-abuse-chat/101686586/|title=Disgraced former NRL player Brett Finch avoids jail over child sex abuse chat|newspaper=ABC News|date=23 November 2022 |location=Australia}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|2193768}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071024200420/http://www.stateoforigin.com.au/SOOgame/PlayerDetails.aspx?Pid=131 State of Origin Official website Rugby League Player Stats]
{{Sydney Roosters - 2003 World Club Challenge Winners}}
{{Melbourne Storm squad - 2009 NRL Grand Final winners}}
{{Melbourne Storm - 2010 World Club Challenge winners}}
{{Wigan Warriors - 2011 Challenge Cup Final winners}}
{{2012 Super League Dream Team}}
{{Fox League}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Finch, Brett}}
[[Category:1981 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Australian expatriate rugby league players in England]]
[[Category:Australian people convicted of child pornography offences]]
[[Category:Australian rugby league players]]
[[Category:Australian sportspeople convicted of crimes]]
[[Category:Canberra Raiders players]]
[[Category:Country New South Wales Origin rugby league team players]]
[[Category:Fox Sports (Australian TV network) people]]
[[Category:Maitland Pickers players]]
[[Category:Melbourne Storm players]]
[[Category:New South Wales Rugby League State of Origin players]]
[[Category:NRL All Stars players]]
[[Category:Parramatta Eels players]]
[[Category:People educated at Erindale College]]
[[Category:Prime Minister's XIII players]]
[[Category:Rugby league five-eighths]]
[[Category:Rugby league players from Maitland, New South Wales]]
[[Category:Sydney Roosters players]]
[[Category:Valentine-Eleebana Red Devils players]]
[[Category:Wigan Warriors players]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen]]