Lifetime contract offer for Hynes

THE Cronulla Sharks want to sign superstar halfback Nicho Hynes to a lifetime contract.

Talks will soon begin with the Dally M champion around a multimillion-dollar extension.

“We want Nicho at the club for the rest of his playing career and after football as well,” says Sharks chairman Steve Mace. “On and off the field he is what our DNA is all about.

“When the time is right we will sit down and have the conversation around a long-term deal.”

Hynes originally signed a three-year contract at the Sharks, worth $600,000 a season.

His value has increased substantially since as he has developed from a good to great football player.

The Sharks will be looking at a four-year contract extension, worth around $3.5 million.

Talks would have already started had it not been for the tumultuous recent events the 26-year-old halfback has been dealing with – his mum now in custody after being found guilty of heroin supply.

The case has knocked him around.

He went from the courtroom steps in Gosford to play in New Zealand because he is so passionate about his Indigenous culture.

There was early talk Hynes was emotionally struggling to an extent where he would withdraw from the All Stars camp and return home. Instead he stayed and had a blinder in the Indigenous team’s victory, winning the Preston Campbell Medal.

In an interview after the game Indigenous coach Ron Griffiths spoke beautifully of his halfback.

“He’s destined for greatness,” Griffiths said, “He doesn’t walk past anyone without saying hello and smiling and above all else he’s a beautiful person. He just carries himself, his persona around the group, he just brings everyone together.”

In the Shire, Hynes is like a god.

The Sharks have had their local heroes over the years – the likes of Andrew Ettingshausen, Paul Gallen, Steve Rogers and Gavin Miller.

Hynes is up there with them after only 12 months with the club, such is the impression he has made as a footballer and a role model.

Plus he’s got the Ettingshausen looks to go with his footy ability.

Kids, mums, dads and everyone love him. Hynes will eventually be the captain and face of the club.