Matty Johns: Nicho Hynes’ intense off-field work makes his form for Cronulla extraordinary

Nicho Hynes is a better footballer now than when he had the 2022 Dally M medal places around his neck – even with added off-field pressure, writes MATTY JOHNS.

Nicho Hynes is a better footballer and is playing better football than when he had the 2022 Dally M medal placed around his neck.

He’s playing with great poise and control, he’s learning the masterful craft of being able to dictate the speed and tempo of a match.

When the Cronulla Sharks are on top, enjoying a period of game dominance, he lifts the tempo, plays fast, not letting the defence settle.

When the opposition start to find rhythm, he slows the game, looks to kick into touch, breaking their continuity.

When dominating, maximise the scoreboard. When under the pump, minimise the damage.

He’s also understood how to use his size and athleticism to even greater effect when playmaking. Accelerating past defenders to create a numerical advantage, or stepping inside and exposing tired middle men.

The NSW Origin halfback jersey is his, only injury can prevent that from happening.

Nicho Hynes is playing better than he was when he received the Dally M. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

But he’s not just a great footballer, he’s an extraordinary person. In my time in the sport, I don’t know a player who takes on so much off the field. His work in the area of mental health makes an enormous difference to all, particularly younger people who are trying to deal with a world which is getting more complex by the day.

Many of us were fortunate to grow up in a time before mobile phones and social media. Imbeciles wrote hate and filth on the back of toilet doors. Now, they’ve direct communication with those their targeting.

Nicho’s openness in talking about his own challenges shows people they are not alone, even heroes battle with their own thoughts.

But what Nicho does is not easy, there would be times that discussing his own challenges would be the last thing he feels like doing, sapping energy, churning up past experiences.

I recently interviewed my old Triple M colleague and friend, Gus Worland.

Gus, like Nicho, has done remarkable things in the area of mental health; his Gotcha4life foundation has, does, and will continue to save many, many lives.

But he conceded that, at times, it’s taken a toll, not just on himself but his family.

Hynes is a great player and an extraordinary person. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

At one point in the early days of the foundation, he’d receive 1000 direct messages a day through his social media, from people who needed help, reaching out to Gus in desperation.

Gus conceded that it overwhelmed him, he could only reply to so many. Occasionally Gus would cross paths with people wanting to know why he didn’t reply to their message, why he didn’t care.

I am not suggesting Nicho endures the same, but don’t think for a second that what he does is easy.

His passion for helping others would be at his own expense, occasionally. It makes what he’s doing week-to-week for the Sharks even more remarkable.

The Sharks are silencing the critics. Their adjustment in style is designed to win big end-of-season games, and it’s working.

But the challenges will keep coming, with Penrith of Friday night the next litmus test.

The other challenge is what a week of praise does to their football and desire.

You see, criticism is a motivator coaches use to sharpen the sword of their players. Praise often weakens a player’s resolve.

Hynes with the 2022 Dally M.

AND ANOTHER THING …

It appears to be a shootout between Jarome Luai and Cody Walker for the Blues No. 6 jersey.

Luai has been largely forgotten in Origin discussions, but he was impressive in a losing team at Magic Round.

In the early season, Luai had lost some of his upfield thrust, not because of a lack of speed or willingness, but a technique issue with how he was using his footwork.

By habit he had been stepping and stepping and re-stepping across the defence line, skimming instead of penetrating.

But last Sunday he corrected himself, stepping and accelerating past defenders instead of across them. He was at his most dangerous. Meanwhile, week-by-week Cody Walker is returning to his best self, even though the bunnies continue to struggle.

Coach Michael Maguire is a big fan of the Bunnies’ No.6 and Walker was outstanding with the man-of-the-match honours in game three last season.