Nicho Hynes has put pen to paper on a $7 million new deal that will keep him at Cronulla until 2029 and which makes him one of the biggest signings in Cronulla Sharks’ history. The announcement of his extension comes only a month after the Sharks secured Craig Fitzgibbon’s services until the end of 2027.
From a Utility Player to One of the Best Playmakers
Hynes was going to be a Cronulla player until the end of 2024 anyway. However, the club didn’t want to take any chances with his future and tied him down until the end of 2029 the moment the opportunity arose. When the deal ends, Hynes will be 33, meaning he will likely hang his boots as a Cronulla Sharks player.
The 26-year-old moved to Cronulla from the Melbourne Storm last year. Since moving to Cronulla Hynes established himself as one of the best playmakers in the NRL. Before impressing in the Queensland Cup, he was more of a utility player that was only expected to impact games coming off the bench.
However, after joining the Sharks he became a real star and turned into a leading player in his new team. So, it is not surprising that Cronulla calls keeping the player “one of the most significant” signings in the club’s history.
Fitzgibbon Extending His Contract Was a Factor Too
Last month, the Sharks extended Craig Fitzgibbon’s contract until 2027. The Sharks coach guided the team to the finals in his first season, and with Hynes extending his stay, Cronulla has secured the services of two key individuals for the foreseeable future.
Sharks’ chairman Steve Mace said that Hynes has decided to sign the extension and not go to the open market so that the club keeps a promising group of players together. Mace added that Hynes staying was an indication that the player believed in what the club was doing both on and off the field. The Sharks chairman claimed that Craig Fitzgibbon committing his future to Cronulla was a big factor in Hynes’ decision to stay with the Sharks until the end of 2029.
For Mace, the fact that the club managed to keep both their best player and star coach in the club for the long haul, was “a huge positive” for the club.
The contract extension makes the Sharks’ playmaker the player with the longest contract in the NRL. No players are contracted to a club beyond 2028.
Hynes Eyes a Premiership with Cronulla
Hynes was thankful for the opportunity given by “Fitzy” and the club and for trusting him to be a starting player. He said he valued loyalty, but never thought he would sign a long-term NRL contract.
Hynes was happy that all the paperwork was completed and he was now looking forward to focusing all his attention on “playing some good footy” and winning games and a premiership for the club that trusted him with a starting role.
