Hynes disbelieving after claiming Dally M medal
SYDNEY: Nicho Hynes has capped off a remarkable maiden season at Cronulla with a record Dally M haul after claiming the NRL’s top gong in dominant fashion.
Hynes on Wednesday night became the clear star of rugby league’s night of nights, the Cronulla halfback finishing on a record 38 points.
Three points behind Ben Hunt at the halfway mark of the season, the Sharks star stormed home to beat James Tedesco by five points while Hunt finished third.
In doing so, he joined the likes of Johnathan Thurston as just the fifth player to claim the award in his first season at a new club.
‘‘I can hand on heart say I came here not expecting anything at all.
‘‘I can’t believe it. It’s bloody crazy. I am pinching myself.
‘‘To have this around my neck. I frothed Johnathan Thurston growing up, Andrew
Johns.
‘‘And now I am alongside them. It’s unbelievable.’’
Todd Payten claimed the major coaching gong, while his secondrower, Jeremiah Nanai, was the rookie of the year after scoring 17 tries for North Queensland.
Penrith’s Isaah Yeo was named captain of the year, headlining three Panthers in* the NRL’s Dally M team of the year.
Hynes was also awarded the Provan Summons spirit of NRL award for his work in raising awareness for mental health following his postmatch interview after Paul Green’s death.
But it is the top gong he will remember most, given it was his first season as a fulltime starter after spending years in the rugby league wilderness before being given a chance at Melbourne.
Named as Ryan Papenhuyzen’s replacement last year when the Storm fullback went down with injury, Hynes was an instant star in the NRL.
A playmaker as a junior, Craig Fitzgibbon placed his faith in the 26yearold as one of his first signings to lead the Sharks into the next era as No 7.
He was instantly rewarded with Hynes setting up 26 tries in a stellar season and becoming the first Shark to win the award since Preston Campbell in 2001.
And he did it all with his mother as his date for the night, admitting she had almost brought him to tears.
‘‘I almost had a little tear come down [during my speech]. We have been through a hell of a lot,’’ he said.
‘‘Everything I do is for her, and obviously my dad too . . . But Mum has had a tougher life.’’ — AAP