New Cronulla Sharks signing Nicho Hynes has revealed six clubs were chasing his signature at one point before he finally agreed to link up with the men from the Shire.
Hynes was one of the breakout stars of the 2021 season, replacing Ryan Papenhuyzen at fullback when the incumbent Melbourne number one was forced to spend months on the sideline after a nasty concussion.
Around that, Hynes proved his worth off the bench.
With the ability to play at fullback or in the halves, he became a prized signature, with Hynes admitting to Fox Sports that he had six separate clubs chasing him and met with three of them before eventually setting on the Sharks.
Hynes has since signed a lucrative three-year deal through to the end of 2024, while Storm teammate Dale Finucane has also shifted north.
โThere was a lot more (interest) than I had ever dreamt of. There were a few (clubs)... I donโt want to sound arrogant," Hynes said.
โI ended up meeting with the Sharks, Broncos, Warriors, there was almost a meeting with the Dragons, the Raiders called as well, and the Cowboys.โ
Not bad for a guy that was seriously considering turning to his back-up plan a few years ago.
โCome to negotiations time I was like โfar out, this is happeningโ,โ he added.
โIโm used to Queensland Cup or reserve grade teams wanting to sign me. Now Iโve got a handful of NRL teams. It was just unbelievable.
โIโm very grateful, I definitely wonโt take that stuff for granted because itโs something Iโve been wanting for so long.โ
The star fullback will take to the halves in 2022, with William Kennedy already having the number one jersey locked up.
Who partners Hynes is still up for debate, with Braydon Trindall and Matt Moylan seeming the two most likely candidates.
Hynes also confirmed the Storm wanted to keep him, however, he said the desire to start, and Craig Fitziggon as coach, drew him away from Melbourne.
โThere was just something about Fitzy that I was drawn to,โ Hynes told the publication.
โObviously Melbourne wanted to keep me as well and I had long chats with (football manager) Frank (Ponissi) and (coach) Craig (Bellamy), I was always honest with them from the start.
โI just wanted to make sure I showed how much I respect them and I wanted to give them the last say as well.
โBut it just got to a time where they knew they wouldnโt be able to keep me because I wanted to start (in a team) and I just donโt think they could have matched the money.
โBut the money isnโt important to me, it was more about getting the opportunity to start every week and make a name for myself in the NRL.
โFitzy, the way he spoke about culture and being a defensive club, his values that he wanted to bring to the club, it was sort of similar to โBellzaโ and Frank and how they go about their business.
