Official Nicho Hynes

[Wilson]

I am a big Nicho fan and definitely don't believe the rhetoric around our losses being Nichos fault.

Though I think what Cooper Cronk and other experts are saying (not jurnos) is that as the marquee player they want to see him and own the big moments on the biggest stage.

Look at SJ last week. I would argue we gave him every opportunity to look good but he iced the final moment of the game. Can't deny that. That's what everyone wants

SJ was gifted it on a platter. We had to work for everything in that second half, and it’s forgotten that we scored with 10 to go to take the lead, whilst having someone in the bin and having sweet fa % of the ball.

That should have been the big moment of the game. Alas players can’t hold the ball or can’t hold the ball, so the final big moment of the game was when we weren’t holding the ball.

 

[Greg86]

I am a big Nicho fan and definitely don't believe the rhetoric around our losses being Nichos fault.

Though I think what Cooper Cronk and other experts are saying (not jurnos) is that as the marquee player they want to see him and own the big moments on the biggest stage.

Look at SJ last week. I would argue we gave him every opportunity to look good but he iced the final moment of the game. Can't deny that. That's what everyone wants

Add to it that Nicho is asking to be the main man and have that pressure on. When he signed he said he wants to be that dominant half and looked forward to that challenge

 

[Gards]

This is the binary historical view that to me is idiotic.

Sharks are 0/3 in the finals since Flanagan, supposedly means that Nicho can’t deliver in the big games. The binary correlation that is always made is that he’s the halfback and they’ve lost, so it’s his fault.

Ultimately this is a team sport, and as I said, he was the best player on the park for 2 of those 3 games. Nicho can’t do much when Brailey doesn’t pass him the balls, or Rudolph drops it. Nicho can’t do much when we hang 30 on the cowboys only for our team to let in more than that.

Have the Sharks failed to deliver in the finals since Flanagan? Yes. Has Nicho delivered for us in those finals games? Yes.

Sharks are actually 0/5 since Flanno

2 finals losses under JMO and 3 finals losses under Fitz

I think the perspective of 'stepping up' or delivering in big games can get somewhat skewed cause it focuses on the end result of a game.

I.e. key player puts out 78 mins of trash but nails the critical field goal in a tight contest to win the game = he stepped up and delivered when it counted and is remembered as such but not the preceding 78 mins of rubbish that led to that situation

OR

key players puts out 78 mins of good solid footy but misses the crucial field goal at the death or doesn't come up with the miracle length of field play = doesn't step up in big games, didn't deliver when it really counts

I think there is a balance between these 2 elements with Nicho. Not delivering in some key moments doesn't mean he didn't also play good in big games at other times and help keep us in the contest. It also doesn't excuse other players that made mistakes at crucial times.

While the halfback might have to "own" the result he is not in charge of discipline, defense or ball handling ect. That's on the captain and coach to enforce the standards. The halfback is there to get the team around the park and setup the plays.

If it's pressure field goals or goal conversions Nicho struggles with just get Dan/Tricky to take them and have Tricky take on most of the long kicking duties which he seems to be now.

 

[bort]

I am a big Nicho fan and definitely don't believe the rhetoric around our losses being Nichos fault.

Though I think what Cooper Cronk and other experts are saying (not jurnos) is that as the marquee player they want to see him and own the big moments on the biggest stage.

Look at SJ last week. I would argue we gave him every opportunity to look good but he iced the final moment of the game. Can't deny that. That's what everyone wants

Hopefully doesn't take 260 odd games for Nicho to get there!

SJ has won games before but he's certainly failed to impact many in his time

 

[bort]

While the halfback might have to "own" the result he is not in charge of discipline, defense or ball handling ect. That's on the captain and coach to enforce the standards. The halfback is there to get the team around the park and setup the plays.

It's also up to the individual - no amount of telling a player to keep focus can make them do it, it's up to them to take the pass, or not fumble the ptb etc

 

[apezza]

Sharks are actually 0/5 since Flanno

2 finals losses under JMO and 3 finals losses under Fitz

I think the perspective of 'stepping up' or delivering in big games can get somewhat skewed cause it focuses on the end result of a game.

I.e. key player puts out 78 mins of trash but nails the critical field goal in a tight contest to win the game = he stepped up and delivered when it counted and is remembered as such but not the preceding 78 mins of rubbish that led to that situation

OR

key players puts out 78 mins of good solid footy but misses the crucial field goal at the death or doesn't come up with the miracle length of field play = doesn't step up in big games, didn't deliver when it really counts

I think there is a balance between these 2 elements with Nicho. Not delivering in some key moments doesn't mean he didn't also play good in big games at other times and help keep us in the contest. It also doesn't excuse other players that made mistakes at crucial times.

While the halfback might have to "own" the result he is not in charge of discipline, defense or ball handling ect. That's on the captain and coach to enforce the standards. The halfback is there to get the team around the park and setup the plays.

If it's pressure field goals or goal conversions Nicho struggles with just get Dan/Tricky to take them and have Tricky take on most of the long kicking duties which he seems to be now.

100%.

Look at the Bulldogs game. If he nails the field goal, everyone says he owned the game.

Doesn't matter how he played for the other 82 minutes.

 

[HaroldBishop]

100%.

Look at the Bulldogs game. If he nails the field goal, everyone says he owned the game.

Doesn't matter how he played for the other 82 minutes.

Problem is that was a relative sitter, he should 100% be nailing those as a big money halfback, he wasn't even close.

 

[Wizard]

I’m glad that Nicho not being able to deliver on the big stage is getting called out by all the top analysts in the game. About time

Should only want to make him get it done even more now in the finals coming up

 

[bort]

Problem is that was a relative sitter, he should 100% be nailing those as a big money halfback, he wasn't even close.

Burton is on 3/4 as much but paid in no small part for his kicking ability and he hit something like 2 from 7 over couple of weeks didn't he
Sometimes it not so much about what you miss but just making one before the other guy - which, admittedly, Nicho didn't

 

[egg]

An agenda to try and put even more pressure on him from certain parts of the Media ?
The way I see it , he was most likely playing injured just before , during and after Origin, unable to sprint .
Last game showed glimpses without being controlling Half .
Big opportunity to step up regain some MOJO if feeling closer to 100%, to take some pressure off .
But , gunna be a lot harder if he has a BARRY on Sunday

 

[bort]

An agenda to try and put even more pressure on him from certain parts of the Media ?

I think if he hadn't spoken out about seeing a sports psych (which is not uncommon in elite sport) we'd have seen 10% as many comments about his confidence

I can't think of another half, or marquee player who has a quiet or even a bit down game and has their confidence called out repeatedly.

 

[Gards]

Honestly, the majority of million dollar NRL players do not live up to expectations of their salary, especially not consistently. Some crash and burn (Ash Taylor)

Hunt, Burton, SJ, D.Fifita, Ponga ect ect. I would argue they have all be flops or at best bad value when their salary is considered. All good players no doubt but could easily make the argument they are paid beyond what they deliver.

Depending on your squad and cap a good (but overpaid) player might still be preferable to a cheapish (but medicore) player

Then there is kinda a sweet spot with players like Tricky and Atko who are quality but not expensive yet are unlikely to ever be elite top 5 players in the game while a player like Nicho arguably has a higher ceiling.

 

[Wizard]

Honestly, the majority of million dollar NRL players do not live up to expectations of their salary, especially not consistently. Some crash and burn (Ash Taylor)

Hunt, Burton, SJ, D.Fifita, Ponga ect ect. I would argue they have all be flops or at best bad value when their salary is considered. All good players no doubt but could easily make the argument they are paid beyond what they deliver.

Depending on your squad and cap a good (but overpaid) player might still be preferable to a cheapish (but medicore) player

Then there is kinda a sweet spot with players like Tricky and Atko who are quality but not expensive yet are unlikely to ever be elite top 5 players in the game while a player like Nicho arguably has a higher ceiling.

Burton has been doggies best player all year and as soon as he moved back from 7 to 6 he clicked

SJ never been on a million but is flakey and paid based on what he’s achieved, I think 750 for prime SJ is decent value but

Ponga as a fullback is much more consistent and close to value just that his team is trash and he in injured often it’s not a form thing

Hunt is a proven player who’s been paid based on what he’s achieved, Hynes is on already on a mil without achieving a quarter of that

The thing is though all those teams without those players struggle massively…the Sharks without Hynes don’t.

Thats the difference

Look at Panthers, they were still winning here and there without Cleary, but as soon as Cleary came in he knew what was needed he was the game breaker and the difference and took them to that next level for those games before he got injured again.. Hynes needs to be that for the Sharks and if not it’s a waste of money better spent elsewhere in another position

 

[MrDravid]

Honestly, the majority of million dollar NRL players do not live up to expectations of their salary, especially not consistently. Some crash and burn (Ash Taylor)

Hunt, Burton, SJ, D.Fifita, Ponga ect ect. I would argue they have all be flops or at best bad value when their salary is considered. All good players no doubt but could easily make the argument they are paid beyond what they deliver.

Depending on your squad and cap a good (but overpaid) player might still be preferable to a cheapish (but medicore) player

Then there is kinda a sweet spot with players like Tricky and Atko who are quality but not expensive yet are unlikely to ever be elite top 5 players in the game while a player like Nicho arguably has a higher ceiling.

Comes with being Australian doesn't it? Tall poppy syndrome means we always have it out for the highest earners and we expect them to be at top level week in week out.

 

[HaroldBishop]

Comes with being Australian doesn't it? Tall poppy syndrome means we always have it out for the highest earners and we expect them to be at top level week in week out.

I think it applies to most sports around the world tbh, the highest paid players always come under more scrutiny. I think that's perfectly fair and natural, especially in a code like NRL that has a salary cap.

 

[Gumby]

For a confidence player like Nicho all it takes is 1 game for him to fire and that then hopefully kickstarts him into 2nd gear. If he can come out and have a blinder against Manly and have a heavy contribution towards us winning, I truly think it opens up the competition. He then goes into the first game of the finals where anything can happen.

 

[Sharkfox]

If he goes back to being the dominant half again and has an underwhelming perfomance against Manly, do we keep persisting with him in that role for the two finals games.
I'm hoping Tricky remains the more dominant half and Nicho chime in when needed or play more as 5-8 this round and going into finals. Be easier for him to build confidence and get into better form without the pressure of steering the team, let Brailey and Tricky do that.

 

[MrDravid]

If he goes back to being the dominant half again and has an underwhelming perfomance against Manly, do we keep persisting with him in that role for the two finals games.
I'm hoping Tricky remains the more dominant half and Nicho chime in when needed or play more as 5-8 this round and going into finals. Be easier for him to build confidence and get into better form without the pressure of steering the team, let Brailey and Tricky do that.

I'm not sure how much 'Nichoball' we've seen with Nicho and Trindall in the team this year (saw it more with Nicho and Atkinson). I think Fitz has deliberately tried to diversify our attack away from Nicho.

 

[HaroldBishop]

I'm not sure how much 'Nichoball' we've seen with Nicho and Trindall in the team this year (saw it more with Nicho and Atkinson). I think Fitz has deliberately tried to diversify our attack away from Nicho.

They were interchanging quite a bit last week between first and second receiver.

 

[Proud Shark]

I'm not sure how much 'Nichoball' we've seen with Nicho and Trindall in the team this year (saw it more with Nicho and Atkinson). I think Fitz has deliberately tried to diversify our attack away from Nicho.

We've been a bit robbed this season from watching that combination develop. Between Tricky's **** up and Nicho's injury they've only played 10 games together this year and 6 last year. We're still a way off seeing what they can do together.