Fans have been calling footy heartthrob Nicho Hynes the dreaded C-word this year – here’s why they have to stop
Nicho Hynes has vowed there’ll be a time in 2025 when he steps up to nail a game-winning field goal, following criticism of his inability to ice Cronulla’s golden-point clash with Wests Tigers.
Even before bouncing back from that missed chance with a masterclass against Parramatta, Hynes was feeling content with his form at the sixth-placed Sharks.
Through nine games this season, the halfback has produced only three try assists fewer than he managed for the whole 2024 campaign.
Hynes has faced increasing scrutiny over his performance in clutch situations, with some fans calling him a ‘choker’ ever since he failed to have a big impact late in Cronulla’s first-round loss to Penrith in Las Vegas.
Three of his try assists came in the Sharks’ 28-18 win at Magic Round, only five days on from the loss to the Tigers, during which Hynes missed three shots at a game-winning field goal.
That didn’t worry Hynes, even if it prompted the latest round of debate over his record in pressure games.
Nicho Hynes has already moved on from the Sharks’ golden-point loss to Wests Tigers
Debate has raged over how the Cronulla star performs in pressure situations
‘I’m feeling good. I’m not worried about my game, I’m playing really good footy, I feel. My coaching staff are happy, all my players are happy,’ he said.
‘I don’t listen to anything (criticism) that’s going on. I’m playing good footy, and if I know deep down that I’m playing good footy, that’s all that matters.
‘I still feel like I played a good game last week, I just didn’t ice a field goal.’
After that loss to the Tigers, the Sharks were told by the NRL they should have received a penalty in extra time because Alex Seyfarth was offside attempting to charge down one of Hynes’ field-goal attempts.
The non-call denied Hynes the chance to be the hero by slotting a game-winning penalty goal.
But he said there would always be times when luck wasn’t on his side.
‘(Against the Eels) it was. Some weeks it won’t be,’ he said.
‘There’s going to be a time this year when we’re going to need a field goal and I’m going to put myself in position to try and nail it. I’ll keep continuing to do that.
Cronulla’s Nicho Hynes says he is ‘super happy’ with life both on and off the field
‘I’m not going to shy away from any tough stuff. I’m going to keep fighting hard and putting our team in position to win tight games of footy.’
Getting off social media and spending time with loved ones have been the secrets to Hynes’ happiness this season.
The 28-year-old is currently living with his girlfriend, best mate and mother – as well as his beloved dog.
‘He doesn’t give a s*** if I win or lose,’ Hynes said of his four-legged buddy.
‘I’ve got things in place where I don’t need to be around negativity.
‘I don’t need nay-sayers in my life, I don’t go on social media anymore, I just put myself around people who love me and I love.
‘Life couldn’t be better, honestly. Win, lose or draw, I still get to go home and smile and live a good life. I’m super happy.’
