History maker! Nicho Hynes' 43-year first in Dally M Medal triumph

After a breakout season at his new club, Cronulla Sharks Nicho Hynes has won the 2022 Dally M award for Player of the Year on 38 points, the highest points tally in the awards’ 43-year history.

The Sharks halfback was one of the favourites for the award, alongside the Dragons Bent Hunt who finished on 32 points and Roosters James Tedesco who finished on 33 points.

“I can’t believe it to be honest,” said a shocked Hynes.

“I came here not confident one bit. I thought Benny Hunt was taking it out for sure.”

When the leaderboard went behind closed doors after round 12, Hunt was in the lead with Hynes hot on his tail. But it seemed the further into the season we went the better Hynes got, and as the count went on during the night’s ceremony the Sharks’ halfback continued to skyrocket up the ladder.

“I’m extremely grateful to be here, surrounded by such great players. Five years ago I was sitting at home watching this, I was only ever dreaming about being here, I never thought I would be here.

The humble Hynes praised his coach and team, knowing he could not have won the award without them.

“This doesn’t say a lot about me, it says a lot about Fitzy (Coach Craig Fitzgibbon) and my teammates. I can’t do anything on the field that isn’t for my teammates. Fitzy started that by getting me to the club .

It’s a team sport, my teammates have backed me to the hills and trust me to be their number seven and I can’t thank those guys enough.”

Hynes also took out the Dally M Halfback of the Year Award.

In other awards throughout the night, Raecene McGregor took out the NRLW Dally M Medal, Todd Payten from the Cowboys and John Strange from the Roosters won Coaches of the Year and the Panthers Isaah Yeo and Rooster Isabelle Kelly took out Captains of the Year.

The full list of winners is:

NRL

Dally M Medal – Nicho Hynes – Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

Fullback – James Tedesco – Sydney Roosters
Winger – Joseph Sua’ali’i – Sydney Roosters
Winger – Alex Johnston – South Sydney Rabbitohs
Centre – Joseph Manu – Sydney Roosters
Centre – Valentine Holmes – North Queensland Cowboys
Five-Eighth – Cameron Munster – Melbourne Storm
Halfback – Nicho Hynes – Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Prop – Joseph Tapine – Canberra Raiders
Prop – Payne Haas – Brisbane Broncos
Hooker – Api Koroisau – Penrith Panthers
Second Row – Viliame Kikau – Penrith Panthers
Second Row – Jeremiah Nanai – North Queensland Cowboys
Lock – Isaah Yeo – Penrith Panthers
Rookie of the Year – Jeremiah Nanai – North Queensland Cowboys
Captain of the Year – Isaah Yeo – Penrith Panthers
Coach of the Year – Todd Payten – North Queensland Cowboys
Top Points Scorer – Valentine Holmes – North Queensland Cowboys
Top Try Scorer (Ken Irvine Medal) – Alex Johnston – South Sydney Rabbitohs
Peter Frilingos Headline Moment – Jada Taylor/Queensland’s State of Origin win
Provan-Summons – Nicho Hynes – Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
DrinkWise Try of the Year – Scott Drinkwater – North Queensland Cowboys
YOUI Tackle of the Year: Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels)
VB Hardest Working Player of the Year: Isaiah Papali’i (Parramatta Eels)

NRLW

Dally M Medal – Raecene McGregor – Sydney Roosters

Fullback – Sam Bremner – Sydney Roosters
Winger – Teagan Berry – St George Illawarra Dragons
Winger – Jaime Chapman – Brisbane Broncos
Centre – Isabelle Kelly – Sydney Roosters
Centre Jessica Sergis – Sydney Roosters
Five-Eighth – Tarryn Aiken – Brisbane Broncos
Halfback – Raecene McGregor – Sydney Roosters
Prop – Caitlan Johnston – Newcastle Knights
Prop – Millie Boyle – Newcastle Knights
Hooker – Keeley Davis – St George Illawarra Dragons
Second-Rower – Keilee Joseph – Sydney Roosters
Second-Rower – Olivia Kernick – Sydney Roosters
Lock – Simaima Taufa – Parramatta Eels
Provan Summons Medal – Toni Hunt – Brisbane Broncos
Coach of the Year – John Strange – Sydney Roosters
Top Points Scorer – Zahara Temara – Sydney Roosters
Top Try Scorer – Jayme Fressard – Sydney Roosters
Rookie of the Year – Jesse Southwell – Newcastle Knights
Captain – Isabelle Kelly – Sydney Roosters
Try of the Year – Tarryn Aiken – Brisbane Broncos
Tackle of the Year – Tarryn Aiken – Brisbane Broncos