Nicho Hynes wins Dally M Medal, credits mind coach for success | NRL 2022

Sharks star Nicho Hynes’ emotional night was capped by the appearance of his mother at the Dally M Awards.

Hynes says he never thought he never thought he’d be invited to the Dally M’s, let alone win the prestigious medal. Picture: Getty Images.

History maker Nicho Hynes has paid a beautiful tribute to his mum after storming to a historic Dally M Medal victory.

Hynes’ emotional night was capped by the appearance of his mother Julie at the Dally M Awards.

Last year, as he detailed his battle with depression, Hynes revealed part of his struggles related to living with other family members after his mum had stints in jail when he was five to 12.

But on the biggest night of his career, his mother was by his side, fighting back tears during his victory speech at the Dally Ms.

“To my family and friends, my beautiful mother sitting there I love you so much, my old man sitting at home with his beautiful wife Lisa,” Hynes said.

“I wouldn’t be here right now dad if it wasn’t for you, you held me together and so did my brother as well who is sitting at home with my beautiful nieces, go to bed if you’re watching.”

On Thursday morning Hynes spoke further about his mum.

Nicho Hynes with his mum and the Dally M medal.

“She means a lot,” he said on Channel 9’s Today.

“My whole family do. She’s been a big part of why I’m standing today with this medal. So is my dad, brother, stepmum, everyone else too. I’m just very grateful for their support and definitely wouldn’t be able to do it without those guys.”

Sharks schemer Nicho Hynes has also revealed the secret weapon that helped haul him out of his battle with depression after storming home to seal a record Dally M Medal victory.

After accepting the NRL’s top individual gong, Hynes opened up about how he hired a mind coach to help him cope with the mental pressures of his move from Melbourne to be the main man at the Sharks this season.

Hynes turned to life coach Jarred Brown — a former teammate from his days at the Terrigal Sharks — and the strategy paid dividends as the Cronulla halfback romped home in a Dally M cakewalk.

Nicho Hynes has been open about his struggle with depression, and thanked mind coach Jarred Brown for helping with his mental health and helping turn him into a Dally M winner. Picture: Getty Images

Hynes’ 38 points was the greatest individual tally in the Dally M’s 43-year history and he attributed his outstanding season of consistency to strengthening his mind.

Before his arrival at the Sharks, Hynes had spoken of his struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts during his stint at the Storm, but the help of Brown has turned him into a Dally M champion.

“I hired a mindset coach this year to help me deal with things off the field and the pressure,” Hynes said after leapfrogging red-hot favourite Ben Hunt to claim the 2022 player of the year award.

“Jarred Brown … I appreciate you and thank you a lot.

“I took the long road going through the Queensland Cup, so to all the guys fighting away in reserve grade, it’s not too far away.

“I can’t do anything on the field if it’s not for my teammates.

“My Cronulla mates have trusted me to be their No.7 and this win is for them too.”

Nicho Hynes won the Dally M Medal with the highest ever score. Picture: Getty Images

Born in Gosford, Hynes’ parents split when he was two, but tragedy followed the Sharks playmaker — his stepfather lost his life behind the wheel of a truck after falling asleep.

“Obviously mum was pretty distraught and I had to go back and live with the father and my stepmum,” Hynes said last year.

“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.”

As he struggled to break into the NRL, Hynes was demoted to the Mackay Cutters in the Queensland Cup and admitted he had hit rock bottom.

“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 after being cut from Manly’s under-20s side.

“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.”

HYNES SMASHES 43-YEAR RECORD WITH HISTORIC DALLY M WIN

By Dean Ritchie

Sharks star Nicho Hynes capped a remarkable first-up season at Cronulla by claiming the prestigious Dally M Medal with the highest individual score in the award’s 43-year history.

Despite suggestions the final tally would be tight, Hynes polled a whopping 38 points to finish well ahead of Sydney Roosters fullback James Tedesco (33 points) and St George Illawarra’s Ben Hunt (32).

Hynes became the first Cronulla player to secure the game’s greatest individual award since Preston Campbell back in 2001.

Sydney Roosters halfback Raecene McGregor won the Dally M female of the year award.

Hynes, Tedesco and Hunt finished well clear of Scott Drinkwater (Cowboys) and Dylan Edwards (Penrith), who finished the count on 23 points. The pair was one point clear of Parramatta’s Mitch Moses.

Nicho Hynes has pipped Dally M favourite Ben Hunt to claim the medal with the highest ever individual score. Picture: Getty Images.

It was the first Dally M count Hynes had attended and he was shocked to win the award.

“I can’t believe it to be honest. I thought Benny Hunt was taking it out, for sure, or Teddy (Tedesco),” Hynes said.

“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.

“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.

EVERY 2022 DALLY M WINNER, COACH’S CHEEKY REFEREE SLEDGE

“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.

“But this is a team sport and my teammates have backed me and put trust in me. It’s an honour to be here.”

Hynes says he never thought he never thought he’d be invited to the Dally M’s, let alone win the prestigious medal. Picture: Getty Images.

Hynes thanked coach Craig Fitzgibbon and CEO Dino Mezzatesta for recruiting him to the Sharks from the Melbourne Storm.

“They showed me the absolute faith, they gave me an opportunity that I never thought I’d be able to take. Thank you so much, and to the extended coaching staff.

“And to our fans, I rocked up to Cronulla and I’m used to being in Melbourne and no one knowing who the hell I am. Going to Cronulla, they welcomed me with open arms.

“To our fans, thank you very much and hopefully we have a better result next year.

“You’re probably going to think I’m a weirdo for thanking my old club but I wouldn’t be where I am today without the Melbourne Storm.”

Hynes was also awarded the Provan-Summons medal for his post-match interview advocating for mental health following the death of Paul Green.

The NRL’s finest were out and about during a glittering night inside the Winx Stand at Royal Randwick Racecourse.

It was the first time the awards were fully integrated for the NRL and NRLW.

At just 17 years of age, Knights halfback Jesse Southwell was named the Dally M female rookie of the year.

“We have the best athletes in the world, the most tribal clubs you could imagine, competing in the most entertaining competitions on the planet” said NRL CEO Andrew Abdo.

“The Dally Ms are all about the players. Millions of fans watch the premierships because of them.

“Kids grow up wanting to play because of them. Communities gather at local parks every weekend because of them.”

Roosters star Raecene McGregor claimed the Dally M female player of the year. Picture: Getty Images.

The awards ceremony continues the build-up to Sunday night’s highly-anticipated NRL grand final between Parramatta and Penrith at Accor Stadium.

A Dally M female team of the year was named alongside the Dally M male player of the year for the first time ever.

The Dally M honour board includes rugby league legends Tedesco, Andrew Johns, Johnathan Thurston, Cam Smith, Billy Slater, Laurie Daley, Allan Langer, Ricky Stuart, Peter Sterling, Steve Rogers, Jarryd Hayne and Ray Price.

Manly’s Tom Trbojevic claimed last year’s award.

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