Former Mackay Cutters player Nicho Hynes wins 2022 Dally M medal

From his years spent in Mackay to climbing the ladder of NRL Success, Nicho Hynes’ Dally M victory is almost one that never was, working on his game off field just as much as he did on it.

Nicho Hynes with Dally M

Life hasn’t always been as bright for Nicho Hynes as the moment the 26-year-old stood in a room filled with talent to take the honour of being the NRL’s 2022 Dally M Medalist in historic fashion.

The pride of Gosford didn’t just win the medal, but did it by smashing through a 42-year-old record for the highest votes recorded in a single season, stamping his authority as the best talent in a league he came so close to missing out on.

“I just came here tonight just grateful to be surrounded by such great players. Five years ago I was sitting at home watching this and only dreaming about being here,” Hynes said on the night.

“I would rather be playing in the grand final but this is the next best thing. I didn’t walk the easiest journey to get here and I had some tough challenges growing up.

“Now I’m in a privileged position to give back and hopefully influence and inspire some people who have been in my position and are walking a tough journey now. That’s our main goal – to be role models for the next generation.”

So just what is his story, and how did he wind up playing an integral role for Mackay’s very own Cutters side.

Hynes spent his formative years playing rugby league much like most coastal NSW kids, but he stood out among the pack gaining medals, trophies and the eyes of scouts as he rose through the ranks of the junior league circuit.

While externally Hynes stood tall as the talent to watch, behind the scenes his life would tell a different story, consistently watching his mum deal with law enforcement as she spent time in and out of jail in his early years of life after his stepfather died in a truck crash.

“My mum was in and out of jail from when I was about five to 12 years old, pretty much my whole primary school life I had to live without a mum,” he said.

Nicho Hynes for the Cutters

While hard, the passion to get to the next level of his game only grew stronger as Hynes began to dominate the under 20 circuit, eventually leading to a training period in the 2016 pre-season for the NRL.

In an interview with Matty Johns in 2021, Hynes opened up about the reality of being informed of a two-year NRL deal, only for it to be taken away due to an in-game injury during the pre-season.

It left the young man stunned, and begging the question – what happens now?

“The unknown was coming,” Haynes said, after the reality of his NRL destiny turned back into a dream.

He was staring down the barrel of having to go the long route to only now hopefully land a spot on a list.

In the scramble to get the young talent playing, Hynes was sent in the direction of North Queensland, playing for none other than Mackay’s own Cutters in the Queensland Cup, a pathway competition into the NRL.

“I just bawled my eyes out … throughout that day I was just upset all day, crying, that day, bloody suicidal thoughts came into my head,” he said.

“I don’t know if I went home and found something to do it, whether I would have done it, but to sit here having to look back on it – having to get suicidal thoughts in your head, that’s not okay.”

Nicho Hynes with the Storm.

As Hynes arrived in Mackay, his circumstances weren’t ideal, leaving his family and partner at the time behind to chase this illusive opportunity to make it to the big time, a reality that struck him far harder than he could ever imagine.

With no money and no clear direction of how he’d get there, Hynes took the opportunity at full back with both hands and dominated for the Cutters, being one of the most influential players in the league and helping the side move from second-last on the ladder the previous season to just missing the finals in their mad push toward the end of that year.

While all seemed well and impressive on field, it was off the field where Hynes became the man and player he is today.

“It made me, moving away … but it almost broke me as well,” he said.

In the same interview in 2021 Hynes opened up on his battle with depression, dealing with a side of mental health he never knew how to talk about.

Isolating his feelings from his family and friends, Hynes suffered in a variety of ways, coming to terms with many different facets of life all at the same time, a reality known to many.

When asked about his rock bottom moment, Hynes came to realise after many tears shed both on the ground and at home with housemate and now Gold Coast Titans hooker Aaron Booth, something had to change.

In the process of change came seeking a psychologist and mind coach, helping Hynes bring himself out of a dark hole, and into the thriving young athlete.

Nicho Hynes for Cronulla

In the 2018 season for the Cutters, Hynes was elevated to captain, and took the responsibility with both hands after starting captain Tom Murphy suffered a season-ending ACL injury.

After this season, one filled with not many on field wins but a large amount off field, Hynes was noticed by powerhouse Melbourne Storm, eventually being offered a two-year deal to have him under Craig Bellamy, a move that eventually saw him part of a 2020 premiership winning side.

As he stands, he is the most recognised talent in the sport of NRL for 2022, a reward won from years of heartache and hard work, but a reward won from a story he wouldn‘t change.

When asked about his journey and advice he would give to those facing a similar grind to himself, Hynes was candid, but honest.

“To all those guys fighting away in reserve grade at the moment, it’s not too far, just keep putting your head down and working hard and maybe you can be standing up here one day as well,” he said.