I remember reading somewhere when the card was launched that they indeed originally intended on making all the explorers the exact same stats and mana cost (except brann which also underwent modifications pre release) as their previous iterations. 
Finley was indeed intended to be  1 cost 1/3 but they changed it at the last moment because they felt it would be too swingy if played on turn one. 

I don’t think it would’ve been that much stronger as they thought but I would like to see it go to one mana to give highlander pally any possible tool it can get to be atleast mildly competitive.

8 here. 3 from before. That’s 11. Where’s the missing 1 that I’m forgetting or didn’t receive?