Nicho Hynes has been the sparkplug player for the Cronulla Sharks, helping revitalize their offense. Beyond that, he’s been honest about the anguish caused by the disrespect his team and family have faced. At home, the Sharks are preparing for a very important preliminary final against Melbourne Storm this Friday night. Hynes though, has got to be at his wit’s end with how negative the narrative around his team has gotten.
In an interview with 7NEWS, Hynes said he was very close to his family and their reputation. He stated, “I take things personally when people try and dis’ my family and that’s why I guess … and maybe I’ve had enough of it over the last few years with people disrespecting the Sharks.” This squeamish confession goes deeper than just basic human instinct. Hynes is hyper-focused on protecting both his family and his hockey family.
Hynes and the Sharks arrived in Melbourne on a high. After all, they had just won nine of their last ten games! The brightly optimistic Flying Fish squad can’t shake the memory of last year’s 37-10 loss to the Storm in the finals. Regardless of that disappointment, Hynes stressed that he and his fellow players have moved on from that defeat.
We’ve acknowledged it zero times,” he said, showing that the results of the last game are not even close to on their minds. The attention quickly turns to the next game, where again they will look to show how they have improved and become more mentally strong. Commentators have been quick to point out the transformation of Hynes and many of his fellow-turned-bullies teammates. These days they display doggedness to silence their naysayers.
On the Sharks side, the players and fans are ready for this blockbuster matchup. In the meantime, Hynes isn’t saying much about what’s prompted the sudden change of heart. He recognized progress in the area but stopped short of getting into specifics about what’s driven this change.
The Sharks have a mammoth task ahead against the Storm, regularly steeped in being one of the toughest clubs and most dangerous, winning clubs in the competition. Hynes’ emotional investment in this game could be a driving factor as he seeks to protect his team’s integrity and reputation.
