A New South Wales 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).

As 2002 NRL premiers, the Roosters travelled to England for the 2003 World Club Challenge against Super League champions, St Helens R.F.C.

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.

[5] Finch played for the Sydney Roosters at half back in their 2004 NRL grand final loss to cross-Sydney rivals, Canterbury-Bankstown.

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.

[citation needed] The Parramatta club then extended his contract to the end of the 2011 NRL season, reportedly to be worth $1 million for three years.

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".

[6] On 14 April 2009, Finch signed a one-year contract with the Melbourne Storm, his fourth club in eleven NRL seasons.

[17] On 24 October 2019, The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Finch checked himself into a mental health facility after an incident on an interstate flight.

[18] In late September, Finch joined the YKTR Sports organisation, run by former rugby league player Isaac John.