There were many questions surrounding Nicho Hynes’ move to Cronulla and whether the Sharks could be title contenders with the Storm utility in the chief playmaker role.
Not only has he silenced his critics, but he is also on track to guide the team to its best shot at winning what would be just the second premiership in Cronulla’s 55-year history.
The Sharks are a strong chance to finish second, giving them home-ground advantage and the potential to catapult straight to the preliminary final stage.
Very few NRL teams touch the trophy unless they have an elite talent in the No.7 jersey and hooker Blayke Brailey believes Hynes can be the one to take them to premiership glory.
“Without a doubt. I think it has shown in the last 22 rounds how he has been playing and how he’s been leading the team around it,” Brailey told The Roar.
“He prepares so hard, he does so much video, he works with the coaches so much. He is part of a big reason why we are in the top four.
“I don’t think anyone expected him to be such a dominant halfback so quickly, but this comes down to what he does during the week. He tries hard, like I said he does so much video, he’s always asked questions and it obviously shows on the weekend, how well he prepares.”
Nicho Hynes celebrates. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Off the back of an already impressive debut season in the Shire, Hynes is shaping up to be a dark horse to make the Australian World Cup squad. He is also firming as a favourite for the Dally M Player of the Year Award.
“Oh, for sure. I think in these next two games if he plays really well, absolutely for sure,” Brailey said when asked about Hynes’ Dally M prospects.
With some saying it’s been a relatively easy season for the Sharks, the side have actually displayed their resilience and depth while missing players constantly throughout the year. Experienced players took on more responsibilities, and young guys like Lachlan Miller, Kade Dykes and Brailey himself all putting their hands up.
“We’ve had our fair share of injuries and players in and out and players in rep sides, just like everyone else,” Brailey said.
“So, yeah, I wouldn’t say we’ve had an easy run and I just think we have kind of been building on that underdog type tag, and I think all the players are really enjoying it.
“We know how strong our squad is, I think our NSW Cup side is at the top of the ladder as well. So that’s a sign of a good club, there’s no fluke where, you know, we’re doing well in first grade. We obviously can’t play at the intensity as well as we could if all our 30 side doesn’t train and prepare well. So yeah, it’s been a massive year for not only the first-grade side but also the whole squad.”
(Photo by Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Finally returning to Shark Park after being based at Kogarah for a few years, Cronulla fans would love nothing more than to cap the regular season off with a second spot finish and a home semi-final which will be played at their home base rather than the rebuilt Allianz Stadium if they leapfrog the Cowboys, who have a much tougher final two weeks.
“We haven’t really spoken too much about that. Obviously, we know we’re going to be in the finals somewhere, but we haven’t really spoken too much about where we will actually play,” said Brailey.
“Not having to travel and knowing when you’re going to play obviously helps. We want to win these next two games and, keep striving to better ourselves. And if it’s not second then third. We know regardless it’s going to be a tough game, but we’re definitely aiming for that second slot for sure.”
The Sharks are being touted as having an easy run home, starting with the Canterbury Bulldogs this Saturday.
“Obviously, we can’t control the draw and we know that old cliche that there are no easy games in the NRL. It’s pretty easy to become sort of complacent and to miss these next two weeks but the main reason is focusing on us and making sure we know our role and how we want to play it – there are no easy games.
“They (Bulldogs) have sort of hit some form the last few weeks, they have got some dangerous players and some really inform players that want to finish the year off well. Yeah, we definitely can’t take them lightly, and same with the Knights who we play in the last week.”
On top of the valuable two points on offer, Saturday’s game will also be the final times club veterans Aiden Tolman and Andrew Fifita play at home. Tolman announced his retirement on Friday, with Fifita set to leave the club at the end of the season.
“He has the sort of character and attitude we want to instill in all the young players coming through here and they’ll be better for the experience of seeing what Aiden Tolman is all about.” said Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon.
“For a first-year coach such as myself, I’m really thankful I had him as a part of the group.”
Regarding the news of Fifita moving on, Brailey was surprised.
Andrew Fifita. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
“Yeah, it came as a bit of a shock. The energy in the last couple of weeks, he’s back to his younger self where he was running through teams. And yeah, it’s obviously a shame. He’s such a big part of our squad and our Sharks’ identity and history.”
Fifita was part of the premiership-winning side of 2016, and Brailey explained a few of the senior guys are feeling the same vibes as they did back then.
Hynes is not unlike Chad Townsend, who was integral to the title-winning team – a halfback who is not a representative star but more than capable of getting the job done. He took over from Townsend this year and the veteran is now steering the Cowboys around, leading them back up the table.
“There’s obviously been some key similarities, but we are a different squad to that 2016 side,” Brailey said.
“So, there are still some players like Wade and Andrew who played in that big game, so when those finals and those bigger games come, we’ll definitely be speaking to them more and getting as much knowledge as we can to obviously continue our winning streak.
“As long as I’m lifting that trophy at the end of the year, I’ll be happy.”
JennyFromPenny
Guest
When the NRL puts out the draw for the next year, they don't do it with the assistance of crystal ball and widgee board. They have no clue as to how teams will perform the next year based on the current year's results. Calls that Sharks have had a very soft draw, you would say yes, the way this season has panned out. But not based on when the draw was produced last November. Remember Manly were top4 last year. Knights were 7th. Titans were 8th. That would make them top8 teams, no? The bottom 8 included the Sharks themselves 9th, Canberra 10th, Broncos 14th, and Cowboys 15th. That they only played Broncos and Cowboys once, most Sharks fans would have said that was also a bit unfair at the start of the season. But again, not unfair knowing the NRL own neither use crystal ball nor widgee board. No argument from most Sharks fans that they have had more easier games to play, but was not their doing. Will it benefit them in the end? Hard to say. Finishing 2nd does have it's benefits. Even if they win through in week1, though, they will always meet a team in week3 that is running hot and on a roll. Will they be ready for that one - the Prelim? That's when I think we will find our answer. Probably not before then. Just my guess. I also don't own crystal ball or widgee board.
Sharkman
Guest
And now to complete the other half of your analysis please list all the players the Sharks had out when they lost games
Renegade
Roar Guru
That’s rubbish – they’ve only lost 6 games all year… those that didn’t think they’d be there try and justify their position with “soft draw” without any context What would you class the cowboys draw then… only played sharks, Storm, Parra, and souths once while also getting to play Penrith reserve grade next week. Meanwhile the only teams in the 8 the cowboys have beaten are the Storm in Townsville, eels in Darwin and the broncos… while they’ve lost to Penrith 13+, Sharks 13+, Roosters 13+ twice and now also lost comfortably to the bunnies. I’m not trying to discredit the cowboys – it’s all about perspective. Meanwhile broncos lose to everyone and it’s a “tough draw”… actually they are just rubbish.
Diggerbill
Roar Rookie
They beat Eels by 2, Rabbits by 1, and beat Storm and Cowboys without their origin players. They've been beaten twice by Raiders, beaten by Brisbane, beaten by Roosters, beaten by Storm first time around, beaten by Panthers. The difference between finishing 3rd and playing Sharks or finishing 4th and playing Panthers first week is enormous.
Diggerbill
Roar Rookie
They've only played Eels, Panthers, Rabbits, Roosters and Broncos once each and they've played all the crap teams twice. They're the beneficiaries of a soft draw. I can't see it happening for them.
JGK
Roar Guru
Is anyone who saw Hynes play for the Storm last year surprised at how good he is? He's comfortably the buy of the season.
Patrick
Guest
Up the sharkies