Weekend Read: Parramatta players embarrass Eels jersey, Nicho Hynes continues to inspire

Just days out from his final audition for a NSW starting jersey, Nicho Hynes was more focused on changing lives than saving the Blues’ Origin series, writes BRENT READ.

NICHO’S INSPIRING MESSAGE TO TEENS

A couple of days before his final audition for a NSW starting jersey, Nicho Hynes was more interested in changing lives than the course of the State of Origin series.

On Thursday, Hynes sat beside former Wallabies captain Nick Farr-Jones in an auditorium filled to the brim with impressionable young high school students.

Among them were teenagers from his old school, Brisbane Waters Secondary College in Umina. Hynes was there as a guest of Stand Tall, a one-day event that is focused on supporting the mental health of high school students across Australia.

The concept centres around successful role models sharing their stories with young people in the hope of inspiring them to chase their dreams.

Nicho Hynesgave an insight into his path to NRL stardom. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

For 15 minutes, Hynes gave them an insight into his remarkable story. The kid who endured a turbulent childhood, struggled to crack the big time and then became a rugby league star through grim determination and sheer hard work.

“Had a bit of tough upbringing but I loved every part of it,” Hynes told his audience, who listened in silence.

“Rugby league has always been a massive dream of mine since I was a young fella. I used to go to sleep in my footy gear on Friday night.

“Umina is a lovely place. It is sort of a place where you can go one of two ways - you can go in the direction where you want to chase your dream and become the person you want to become.

“Or you can go down the path of going to parties and getting into crime and not being the person you want to be.

“I am really grateful I had the support around to choose the right direction and chase my dreams.”

In the audience was Hynes’ mother Julie, who has had her own well-documented struggles of late after being found guilty of drug supply. She was released from jail after Nicho vowed to take her into his custody.

Nicho Hynes playing for his junior club, Umina Bunnies under 10s

“I went the long route to get to the NRL level,” Hynes told them.

“I had to move away and play reserve grade for a couple of years. I just thought, ‘Why not chase the dream until you can’t chase it any longer?’

“I want to be the hardest worker in the room every single day at training and on game day. I had to work extremely hard to get there.

“I love being an inspiration to the next generation to work hard and be the hardest worker in the game. Why not try to get the best out of yourself while you can.”

Hynes told them everyone - including them - that they deserved to be happy. He urged them to check in on their mates. He told them to do their very best to ignore comments on social media.

Don’t worry about what people think and say about you, he said. Go and live a happy life.

“Everyone deserves to be happy right?” Hynes said.

“Everyone knows how many lives have been taken way too soon at the moment. If I can be someone to spread that message and if all you people here can spread that message, then we will be living a happier life.”

Hynes is heading into one of the biggest weekends of his rugby league career. There is a vacancy in the NSW halves and Hynes is among the leading candidates to fill the void.

He had a taste of Origin in the opening game of the series, coming off the interchange bench as the Blues were beaten in Adelaide.

Hynes was dejected after defeat in game one of the 2023 State of Origin series. Picture: Getty Images

He was bitterly disappointed in the dressing sheds afterwards but Nathan Cleary’s injury may give him the chance to atone from the starting side.

Hynes would love the opportunity to go to Suncorp Stadium and lead the Blues to victory. If it doesn’t come his way, you can rest assured he won’t drop his head. Nor will he give up.

“I like to think I am authentic and humble, and want to inspire the next generation,” Hynes said.

“I was a kid, 10-12 years ago sitting in the seats you would have been with a big dream. I still have dreams now, I still have goals I want to achieve.

“I want to win premierships. I just want to wake up and be the best version of Nicho Hynes every single day and try to inspire the next.

“I feel like that is my role now with the platform I have to give back and try and guide the next people coming through, and hopefully start a foundation one day and look after kids who were in a similar boat to me ….

“I just want to be an inspiration. That is my life goal really and to change lives for the better. Win premierships, play for my state again and country.

“Realistically, my goal off field is being a good human first before a rugby league player. If I can change lives more off the field than on field, that is the plan.”

Sounds like the sort of bloke you could build a NSW side around.

PARRA PLAYERS EMBARRASS THE BLUE AND GOLD JERSEY

The Parramatta players responsible for embarrassing their club this week have apparently apologised for making dog and cat noises during media interviews where players were discussing the future of teammate Dylan Brown, who has been stood down after being charged with sexual touching.

It is the least they could do. The Eels are facing a difficult few weeks and potentially months without one of their best players. The last thing they need is for his teammates to make a mockery of the situation. Yet that is what they were accused of this week.

Parramatta player Dylan Brown leaving Downing centre court. Picture: Adam Yip

Hopefully, Eels officials gave them a dressing down. Parramatta have come a long way in a short time. Where once they were ripped apart by boardroom bickering and salary cap strife, they have become a stable organisation.

Coach Brad Arthur has been at the helm for 10 years. They are coming off an appearance in the grand final. Chair Sean McElduff and chief executive Jim Sarantinos are good men and smart operators who pride themselves on running a club that is fiscally responsible and above reproach.

You can only imagine how disappointed they were with the actions of the playing group this week. They disgraced the blue and gold jersey with their childish antics. Thanks to a moment of abject stupidity, the Eels find themselves once again at the mercy of the NRL integrity unit.

The Parramatta players responsible should hang their heads in shame, Rather than dragging their club through the mud, they would be better served trying to drag their club back into finals contention.