Storm star Nicho Hynes open to Broncos switch

He’s impressed as an understudy for Cam Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen this season but Nicho Hynes’ future remains clouded as ever.

Hynes has played every game this season since round three. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Off-contract Melbourne Storm fullback Nicho Hynes says he is yet to receive an offer from the Broncos and wants to make a decision on his future in the coming weeks.

The 24-year-old has been a standout as a starting fullback for the past month for Melbourne, but with Ryan Papenhuyzen and Cameron Munster both on deck next year at the Storm he will likely have to move elsewhere to be a starting player in either of his two favourite positions.

“There are not any offers on the table at the moment, just discussions with the Storm and the Broncos as well, so I can’t really make a decision,” Hynes said after starring in the Storm’s 44-18 win over the Dragons.

“I am seeing on social media that I am going (to the Broncos) but there has been no offer as yet.

“I would rather make a decision sooner rather than later so I can just focus on the rest of the year.

“The Storm have spoken to me. We were meant to have a meeting the other day but the COVID rules came again and they got a bit busy, but I am sure I will sit down with them the next couple of weeks in camp (at Twin Waters).”

The Broncos are struggling to find a fullback with the all-round game to shine in the modern NRL. The jury is out on whether Jamayne Isaako is that player and Hynes is one of the game’s most improved players this year who has clearly benefited from the Storm system.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy said Hynes was a player the club wanted to keep, while acknowledging the factors playing into his future.

“We want to hang onto him but there will be a few considerations there for us and for him – how much we can afford to pay him and what position he would prefer to play in a footy team,” Bellamy said.

“We will do everything in our power to keep him. The good thing about Nicho is that he is heavily involved and he can play a whole heap of positions.”

Hynes has scored two tries from eight appearances this season. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Hynes signed a one-year extension with the Storm last year but said his football had come a long way since then.

“It will be hard to leave this club because they gave me everything and made me the player I am but I really do want to test myself and be a starting player and a key member in a spine,” he said.

“I really love making game plans and being a leader in a team, whether it is this club or someone else.

“I will pay my respects to the Storm first and see what they have to offer me and if they want to keep me as well, but if I have to leave to have a starting role then I am probably going to have to.

“Last year when I was going through negotiations I probably wasn’t ready to be a starting player which is why I stayed here to be coached by the best and play with the best. Now I am playing more footy in the key positions I am ready to make that next step.”

Hynes had been in superb touch at fullback in Papenhuyzen’s absence and with Cameron Munster out with injury he was ready to play five-eighth against the Dragons. When Papenhuyzen was concussed early against the Dragons he went back to fullback where he was electric.

“Fortunately I grew up playing six and I was pretty excited to play there this week but Paps went down and I had to go back to fullback. Playing six or one, I enjoy both,” he said.

“I pinch myself every day to be living my dream and playing for this club. Unfortunately sometimes I have to fill in for injury and I have been pretty vocal that I want to be a starter. We’ll have to wait and see.”