“He saw a light at the end of the tunnel and he charged right for it” … That’s how Melbourne Storm and former NSW Origin coach Craig Bellamy described Nicho Hynes’ round-about Rugby League career, which has resulted in a Dally M Medal.
Hynes also collected the Provan-Summons Medal and was named Halfback of the Year in a triumphant Dally M Awards night at Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse on Wednesday night.
Hynes polled a record 38 points to win the Dally M Player of the Year from Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues captain James Tedesco (33).
Hynes, 26, was given his NRL debut by Bellamy in the Round 21 game in 2019 against South Sydney at Gosford’s Central Coast Stadium.
It was Hynes’ home town and it seemed fitting that his NRL career was launched there.
“He had a tough upbringing and became a bit of a journeyman trying to get his start in first grade,” Bellamy told nswrl.com.au
“But great things happen to great people and Nicho is one of those.”
Hynes couldn’t get a start at any Sydney club so he moved north to play with two different Queensland Cup sides, before Storm spotted him and moved him south to Melbourne.
“So he’s had a lot of setbacks and knockbacks but kept plugging away,” Bellamy said.
“He obviously had a lot of belief in himself otherwise you wouldn’t think he would have kept moving around the country like he did.”
Hynes played 36 games for Storm (2019-21) before moving to the Cronulla Sharks in 2022 as No.7.
“We always realised he was going to be hard to hold onto. When Paps (Ryan Papenhuyzen) was injured there for a long time in 2021 Nicho did an unreal job,” Bellamy said.
“If he wasn’t our best player then he was certainly in the top three.
“He was a great fullback but I always thought he’d be even better in the halves. He’s really smart and reads the game really well. He seems to be able to execute what needs to be done.
“I know the Sharks are proud of him and we are too here at Storm.
“He’s a really humble, down-to-earth, decent human being.”
Hynes was one of six NSW Blues squad members named in the Dally M Team of the Year. The others were Tedesco (fullback), Joseph Suaalii (winger), Payne Haas (prop), Api Koroisau (hooker), and Isaah Yeo (lock).
There were also 10 Harvey Norman NSW Sky Blues named in the NRLW Team of 2022: Sam Bremner (fullback), Teagan Berry, Jaime Chapman (wingers), Isabelle Kelly, Jess Sergis (centres), Caitlan Johnston, Millie Boyle (props), Keeley Davis (hooker), Olivia Kernick (second row), and Simaima Taufa (lock).
Yeo and Kelly were named NRL and NRLW Captains of the Year.
Nicho Hynes | 2022 Dally M Player and Halfback of the Year
