Cronulla-Sutherland halfback Nicho Hynes has said he wants to finish his career at the Sharks before moving into a coaching role with the club.
The reigning Dally M Medallist is off contract at the end of next year but is free to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1.
Hynes would be hot property on the open market but told SEN 1170 he was happy to remain at the Sharks for the next 20 years after they signed him as a marquee player from Melbourne Storm.
The Sharks No.7 joined the club on a three-year deal last year but his management has now opened talks about extending his stay.
“I just hope something happens and gets done, my manager will sort that out and the club will sort that out, so hopefully they’re talking as we speak because I’d love to stay… then hopefully I’m here forever,” Hynes said.
“Ideally I’d love to be here for the rest of my career then I’d like to go straight into coaching… Give me a 20-year contract Sharks!”
Hynes, 26, said he has already had talks with coach Craig Fitzgibbon about moving into coaching when he hangs up the boots.
“I’ve always said I wanted to be a coach, I just love it,” Hynes added.
“I love helping people out, I love helping young kids realise their dreams, so hopefully one day I can be a coach to hand a debut jersey, that’s the ultimate (dream) for me, I’d love to do that.
“I’ve always told Fitzy (Craig Fitzgibbon) that and every time he makes a stressful call he looks at me and says, ‘Do you still want to be a coach?’
“But obviously you have to start somewhere and I could be a development coach, then into an assistant, then one day work my trade and become a head coach, that would be nice.
“I know I have to start somewhere and if I could an assistant at NRL level our a development coach, I’d be happy to do that but coaching is for me.”
Hynes only made his first appearance for the 2023 season last round against St George Illawarra and didn’t take long to display the type of form that saw him win the Dally M Medal last year.
He had three try assists, five line break assists, three tackle busts, five offloads, landed five goals and ran for 148 metres.
Hynes’ next challenge will be the in-form Warriors at PointsBet Stadium on Sunday (2 April).
