NRL news: Matt Moylan keen to partner Nicho Hynes in halves for Sharks

Matt Moylan is playing for more than just the chance to partner Cronulla’s star recruit Nicho Hynes in the halves – his contract is on the line.

Matt Moylan is backing himself to win a starting role in the halves for the Sharks. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Who played the most games for the Sharks in the halves last season? Matt Moylan is not probably the first name you think of. But following the mid-season departure of Chad Townsend and injury plagued season to Shaun Johnson it was Moylan who finished with the most games.

Cronulla used six players across the two positions but Moylan said he was ready to partner Nicho Hynes in the halves as part of a new-look combination at Cronulla.

While Hynes is almost certain to start at six or seven the question of who runs out alongside him is far from answered.

Matt Moylan is facing a fight to start in the halves for the Sharks in 2022. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Moylan, Braydon Trindall and Luke Metcalf are competing for a spot alongside Cronulla’s marquee recruit.

The 30-year-old Moylan believes he can start against the Raiders in round one.

“I have a good connection with (Hynes) already,” Moylan said.

“It would be good to pick his brain after he came from such a successful club.

“Coming off the season he had, (the excitement) is warranted. He has worked hard and fitted in well. I’m excited to play some footy alongside him. Around training we feel good. Until you start getting into the heat of battle you don’t know.

“(Wearing) six or seven doesn’t matter. It hasn’t been spoken about. Just the way we’re going to play, it doesn’t matter. We will have a dominant kicker – that’s the main difference between the halves.

“I’ve been running around in the halves. I’ve been enjoying that. I played all my footy there last season.”

New signing Nicho Hynes will be one of the halves for the Cronulla Sharks in 2022. Picture: Grant Trouville/NRL Images

Moylan enters next year no longer on marquee money. Last season was his final year on the rich four-year deal he joined Cronulla on.

This time around he re-signed on a cut-price one year contract and at 30 he knows his future is on the line.

“Fitzy (Coach Craig Fitzgibbon) wanted to work with me for a year first and go from there,” Moylan said. “I’m happy to back myself there. I’ve enjoyed pre-season working alongside him and the other staff members.”

A string of hamstring injuries have restricted the one time Kangaroo and NSW representative. He played 24 matches in his debut season at Cronulla but has added just 34 in the past three seasons.

“It did get really frustrating and I didn’t enjoy my footy as much because I was in and out and struggling with injuries,” Moylan said. “I knew I had to keep working hard on myself and my body.

“Everyone is going to ask the question (about injuries) when you go through a run like I did. It’s good to be talking about footy. I’m hopeful to have come through the other side of that and it’s good to be speaking just footy and not injuries. Injuries are part of rugby league but I went through a run where I couldn’t stay on the field consistently.

“I’ve done basically everything this pre-season. I’ve enjoyed that side of it to do the majority of the pre-season and not have to worry about anything.

“I had a couple of lean years there. I was frustrated. I want to finish off the career the way I want to.”

HALVES USED BY THE SHARKS LAST SEASON

– Matt Moylan (12 games)

– Chad Townsend (11 games)

– Braydon Trindall (10 games)

– Shaun Johnson (10 games)

– Connor Tracey (3 games)

– Luke Metcalf (2 games)

McInnes turns transfer debate on its head

-Fatima Kdouh

Cronulla star Cameron McInnes fears he would be without a club next season if a trade window had been in place when he came off contract at St George Illawarra at the end of 2021.

The hooker made the most of the November 1 rule, signing a four-year deal with the Sharks in February with one full season left on his Dragons deal.

Ten days later, McInnes suffered an ACL injury during pre-season training.

McInnes believes he would have been an unattractive proposition to clubs if he had been forced into a trade window in October without playing a single game this year.

“If there was a transfer period, I would not have played at all this year,” McInnes said.

Cam McInnes believes the NRL should maintain the current transfer system. Picture: Richard Dobson/NCA

“I’d imagine it would be very hard for a club to invest in a player long term if they aren’t sure how they are going to be after that injury. Which is fair enough from the club’s standpoint but it’s not a player’s fault if they get injured.

“I’m very much pro that it’s about the club before the player but, at the same time, we are only human and we all have families, bills to pay and if we can sort our future as soon as possible, a lot of us players are going to take that opportunity. It’s a physical game we play and things can happen.

“When we are talking about the November 1 system, it’s only a handful of players that actually sign very early.”

Under the current model a player can negotiate with rival clubs from November 1 the year before their contract ends.

A number of recent controversial signings under this model, including the Brandon Smith Roosters saga and Viliame Kikau’s ‘Bulldogs polo shirt’ drama angered fans.

It has prompted the NRL to look into the introduction of a trade window instead of the November 1 model.

PEACE OF MIND

McInnes believes there is support within the playing group to maintain the current system given the sense of security it can provide to players.

But more than just financial security, McInnes believes it gives players peace of mind.

“I do think that players like the fact that, from November 1, a club can approach them and have that dialogue with their manager,” McInnes said.

“We’re all about the now these days, but this is about people’s livelihoods. If you’re putting it down to a couple of weeks to sort your future in a trade window that can be pretty nerve-racking.”

According to McInnes, being able to sort your future out in advance also relieves the stress of contract negotiations and the impact that can have on on-field performances.

“When I was going through my contract negotiations I wanted it done before the season kicked-off, I didn’t want it hanging over me,” McInnes said.

Cam McInnes didn’t play a game for the Dragons last season after injuring his ACL in preseason. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“With me, my focus is on every game at a time and doing my absolute best week in, week out. I didn’t want that extra stress of having to sort that out.

“In terms of the product on the field, or fans being worried about a player giving their all … there’d be a lot of players who’d play better footy after getting things sorted early and not having the stress of uncertainty or having to play well because they need a contract.

“A trade window towards the end of the season, that anxiety only heightens.

“I understand there are flaws in the system now. But you change it, and there will be just as many flaws in my opinion.”

PLAYER DRAFT

The draft model, in particular a rookie draft, has been floated but would require a more centralised approach to junior pathways taking away some of a club’s power in developing junior talent in their region.

McInnes believes rugby league has a rich junior pathways system that should be maintained.

“[A rookie draft] takes away from the history of the game,” he said. “You get your die-hard fans that turn up to Harold Matts and SG Ball to watch the kids coming through. I understand the world is changing but some bits of history are worth preserving.”

Cam McInnes (right) has settled in well at the Sharks alongside Wade Graham and new coach Craig Fitzgibbon. Picture: Justin Lloyd/NCA

FAN FRUSTRATIONS

McInnes understands the frustration of fan more than most.

He was a Roosters fan when Tricolours playmaker Craig Wing, sitting next to Russell Crowe, announced mid-season he was joining the Rabbitohs in 2008.

“When Craig Wing went back to Souths … he signed that fairly early and there was an infamous press conference where he was in Souths colours even though he was a Roosters player but that didn’t mean I stopped going for the Roosters,” McInnes said.

“I’ve just come from the Dragons to the Sharks, and I have no doubt the fans of the Dragons are ready to boo me when I play them, but that’s how it should be.

“No one is bigger than the club, so I don’t think one player leaving or news of them going early should make a difference.

“We all have a short time in whatever jersey we are wearing and we gave our all while we are in it. We only rent the jersey, we don’t own it.”

Dale debunks Smith’s Storm ‘drinking culture’ claims

– David Riccio

Andrew Fifita looked across the Shark Park tunnel at Dale Finucane and Nicho Hynes greeting each other with a warm embrace.

“Remember when people would call us the Tiger-Sharks because of all the Tigers players we signed to Cronulla, including myself,” Fifita smiled.

“Now we’ve turned into the Storm-Sharks.’’

Which, given Melbourne’s lengthy success, isn’t a bad thing.

Finucane and Hynes have reunited in the black, white and blue after spending the past three seasons together in Melbourne.

Cronulla recruits Dale Finucane and Nicho Hynes. Picture: NRL Photos

They bring to the Shire-Sharks an ingrained mentality to train hard and prepare with pure professionalism.

Finucane has been signed for his leadership qualities and no-nonsense attitude.

But for Hynes, Cronulla represents his chance to cement a position in the halves, where he developed as a junior – but is yet to show his wares in the NRL.

If anyone can offer an opinion on how the silky 25-year-old will handle the spotlight of first grade – it’s his old mate Finucane.

“I’ve got full belief in Nicho,’’ Finucane said.

“It was obviously unlucky for Ryan Papenhuyzen (Storm fullback) that he suffered his concussions, but lucky for Nicho in the way that provided his opportunity last year.

“Nicho then showcased what a quality player he is, he showed that he has terrific vision for how to play the game and how to provide for his team.

“In the halves, he’s going to do really well here at Cronulla.

“He played that fullback role with Melbourne and showed what he can do and the ball skills that he has as a player.

“But now he’s got the run of the team, coupled with the halves and the spine that we’ve already got here, I’ve got full confidence he’ll be nothing but successful.’’

The emergence of Hynes as a half wasn’t the only topic of discussion Finucane was willing to address, as he took his first steps as a Shark on Thursday.

He also dismissed recent comments made by Brandon Smith that Melbourne boasted a “drinking culture”.

“I don’t agree with the comments that the culture is a drinking one,’’ Finucane said.

“At certain periods when it’s appropriate throughout the year, people have a beer and enjoy themselves. But I wouldn’t say that it’s part of the culture and in no way is it part of the club.

“You wouldn’t be able to achieve the things that the club has, particularly in this day and age, if that was the culture.’’

Reunited 😍#UpUppic.twitter.com/tgcFfI9skH

— Cronulla Sharks (@cronullasharks) December 7, 2021

Finucane admitted his decision to leave the Storm was a “tough one”, but explained why he had so much trust in joining Cronulla.

“I’ve had a relationship with Craig Fitzgibbon since playing under him with Country and NSW Origin so that’s obviously what drew me to the club,’’ Finucane said.

“There are a lot of quality players also at this club that I’m keen to play alongside.

“There’s a handful of guys I know from previous clubs or representative teams like Aiden Tolman, Wade Graham, Cam McInnes and obviously Nicho.

“I’ve been involved in grand finals and premierships and so it’s no secret that it was hard to leave Melbourne.

“But in saying that, I’m really excited about my opportunity here at the Sharks.

“It’s an opportunity to be part of helping mould what the club wants to be moving forward.’’

Originally published as NRL news: Matt Moylan keen to partner Nicho Hynes in halves for Sharks