Following a breakout first season at the Sharks, one in which he helped guide the Cronulla team into second position on the NRL ladder, Nicho Hynes has been named the winner of the 2022 Dally M Medal.
Hynes polled 38 points from the 23 games he played during the 2022 home and away season, the highest total in the Dally M Medal's 43-year history, five points clear of Roosters fullback James Tedesco and six in front of Ben Hunt.
He became the fourth Sharks player after Steve Rogers (1981), Gavin Miller (1988, 1989) and Preston Campbell (2001), to take out the NRL’s most prestigious individual award.
An integral part of the Sharks success this season, Hynes scored six tries, kicked 83 goals and had 21 try assists, with his efforts recognised not only with the coveted Dally M Medal, but also with his selection in extended NSW Blues and Kangaroos train-on squads ahead of the upcoming World Cup.
“I can’t believe it to be honest. It is my first Dally M so I’m just glad to be here,” Hynes said after accepting the award from Dally Messenger the Third. “I’m extremely grateful. You don’t play for individual awards. It's an honour to be here, and to do it with mum who is here tonight, she means the world to me, makes it even more special.”
Hynes went on to thanks Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon and CEO Dino Mezzatesta for bringing him to the Cronulla club, his teammates and coaching staff, as well as his family for their support and guidance through his rugby league journey.
On a big night for the Sharks number seven, Hynes was also revealed as a Finalist for the NRL's community award the Ken Stephen Medal, as the winner of the Provan Summons Medal, Spirit of the Game award, while he was also named as half back in the Dally M Team of the Year.
Sharks centre Siosifa Talakai and winger Ronaldo Mulitalo were also nominees for the team of the year, while Craig Fitzgibbon was one of four in contention for the Coach of the Year award, which was taken out by Cowboys head coach Todd Payton.
The biggest ever Dally M Awards - with a fully integrated NRL and NRLW presence throughout the awards for the first time ever - was held at Winx Stand at Royal Randwick Racecourse.
