Monday Buzz: The big question mark hanging over out-of-form Nicho Hynes

When you win a Dally M Medal by a record margin and then sign a $1 million-a-year contract you’re expected to play like a superstar, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.

Nicho Hynes (right) has had a tough few weeks. Picture: NRL Imagery

When you win a Dally M Medal by a record margin and then sign a $1 million-a-year contract you’re expected to play like a superstar every week.

It comes with the trophy and the cash.

Rugby league pin-up boy Nicho Hynes is struggling to live up to those high-pressure expectations as his Cronulla Sharks outfit slides out of premiership contention.

Hynes has dealt with painful adversity all his life – but rarely on the football field since emerging at Melbourne Storm in 2019 as such an exciting young player.

The 27-year-old is now in just his second-year of being a chief playmaker.

In the last three weeks he has played opposite Daly Cherry-Evans (13 years of experience), Shaun Johnson (13 years) and Nathan Cleary (eight years).

They have all had form slumps and dealt with the social media bashings that Hynes is now experiencing.

Ask Ben Hunt or Mitchell Moses who have had their share of criticism as well, it comes with the job.

Nicho Hynes (right) has had a tough few weeks. Picture: NRL Imagery

Because of his profile, everyone is now asking: what’s wrong with Nicho?

Was it his sacking from the NSW State of Origin team after 10 minutes in Adelaide that destroyed his confidence?

Does he do too much social media and too many photo shoots?

Is it the more personal issues like supporting his mum in her much-publicised court case?

Or the pressure of living up to the $7 million contract he signed in April?

Or a combination of all of the above.

Whatever the case Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon is backing him through it.

“Nicho’s first to admit he can play better but watching his effort and spirit, he’s actually trying his clacker off,” Fitzgibbon said.

“It’s his second year at halfback and getting the balance right about how you play and complete your sets is a development process. It doesn’t happen straight away.

The pressure could be taking a toll on Nicho Hynes. NRL Imagery

“You look at the most experienced halves – all these guys have had some footy adversity along the way to becoming great halves.

“Nicho’s aware of it, he’s working through it and training hard. I’m backing him in – he’ll come out the other side. He cares so much, it will turn, I know it will.”

Fitzgibbon would not go into Hynes’ sacking from the State of Origin team and the effect it has had on his confidence ever since.

However it’s there for all to see.

Heading into Origin he was fourth on the Dally M leaderboard – despite missing the first month of the competition.

He’d be lucky to have polled a point since.

This is not a criticism of Brad Fittler or Greg Alexander. It gets back to dealing with adversity. Nicho’s hardly the first player to be bumped from an Origin team – and he won’t be the last. It’s about rediscovering the form that got him there in the first place.