In the midst of a form slump, the question has been raised whether Sharks half Nicho Hynes should lose his starting spot for Friday’s semi-final clash against the Cowboys.
Hynes was more or less a non-factor against Melbourne, who ran out dominant 37-10 winners against the Sharks in the second qualifying final.
The $7 million halfback’s performance led to one former playmaker to say he’d drop Hynes if he was Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon.
Watch the best coverage of the 2024 NRL finals, with expert analysis and every game until the Grand Final LIVE with no ad-breaks during play, on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD BE BUYING INSTEAD. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
Utility Daniel Atkinson has been excellent this season, playing in the halves when Hynes missed games with various injuries.
In fact, the Sharks have won 10 of 13 when Atkinson starts in the halves in 2024.
“I really don’t know if the Sharks go in with the same side. I think Daniel Atkinson might deserve a go. I think Trindall and Atkinson (should be the halves),” Fox League’s Greg Alexander said.
“It might be time to shake it up. I just think they were playing some good footy with Atkinson and Trindall in the halves.
Alexander was then asked by Braith Anasta if he would drop Hynes.
“I know it’s a massive call … I probably would. Yeah I would. I’d go with Trindall and Atkinson,” Alexander replied.
“He’s not playing with confidence. When he was looking to have a run, he was very hesitant and there was no sharpness about it.
“If he’s going to be in the side, Fitzy (Fitzgibbon) needs to change the way he (Nicho) plays.
“He looked nervous at times yesterday,” Michael Ennis added.
“He started to chase some moments, but it definitely wasn’t his best performance.”
Menace Mahoney center of scuffle | 00:57
MORE NRL NEWS
TALKING POINTS: Switch Robbo must make to avoid disaster; Sharks reality laid bare
‘LOOKING FOR NEW CLUB: Dogs expected to cut star as crunch meeting looms
CRAWLEY: DCE’s line in sand moment as serial Dogs pest’s antics backfire
It’s clear that Hynes hasn’t been the player he’s capable of being in the three games since returning from a nasty leg injury which kept him sidelined for two months.
He had a couple of moments he would have liked back during the Storm loss, notably a failed kick for touch off a penalty.
“Moments like that, on this level, at this occasion, are very, very concerning,” Ennis said.
Ennis went onto explain what Hynes and the Sharks aren’t getting right at the moment, pointing out what they were able to do this season with some different personnel.
“The one thing with Cronulla, and if you look at the halfbacks that dominated this weekend, they’ve been the ones who have been able to ttraghten their sides atttack,” Ennis said.
“When Hynes hasn’t been in the side, Blayke Brailey has played a much more significant role from nine being active and Atkinson takes on the line, so I can aboslutely see your point because they were far too lateral yesterday.”
The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield, who has fiercely defended Hynes at times this season, believes the halfback isn’t playing up to his price tag.
However, he stopped short of saying that Cronulla would make the drastic move to drop him.
“There will be question marks again over Nicho Hynes’ game,” Rothfield said on Big Sports Breakfast.
“There was one penalty he didn’t find touch with, he was caught on the fifth tackle when he probably should have got the ball away.
“I really feel sorry for Nicho in that there is no player in this finals series under so much spotlight, but the bottom line is, when you are a $1 million player, you’re supposed to be the standout footballer in the side.
“I don’t think they’ll do that (drop Hynes). Will Kennedy didn’t have one of his better games so there was talk about whether the Sharks would move Nicho to fullback to bring Atkinson into the halves.
“I think the club has too much respect for Nicho to even consider it.”
BSB co-host Laurie Daley defended Hynes, believing there were a few things against him on Saturday.
“I think there’s a couple of things. He didn’t play as well as we know he can but you’re right, Melbourne had all the possession, the middles didn’t give the halves anything to work off,” Daley said.
Trindall certainly looks the more threatening of the two Sharks halves at the moment, setting up Cronulla’s second try with a freak flick pass.
Rothfield noted this, opining that perhaps Hynes has been taking a backwards step since returning from his leg injury.
“Young Trindall, who is probably on $350k, which is a third of Nicho’s salary, has taken over as the dominant half. He’s doing most of the kicking, setting up most of the plays as the chief playmaker,” Rothfield said.
“Maybe you need to see Nicho try to involve himself but it’s a really difficult one for the club in that when he was out injured during the season, they won something like five from six and Craig Ftizgibbon did say to him when he came back into the side, ‘don’t try to overdominate’.
“So I think it’s in the back of his mind not to overplay his role, but you know what, they only have one more chance now and they have to rip and tear against the Cowboys.”
“
Discussion about this post