Following Will Kennedy’s doubtlessly season-ending hamstring blow in Round 22, the Sharks are desperately looking for a fullback answer.
With second string No.1 Kade Dykes 2023 marketing campaign additionally written off earlier than the season started with a knee harm, coach Craig Fitzgibbon may look to shake up his backbone.
That is based on the SMH, who’re reporting the reigning Dally M Medallist Nicho Hynes has put his hand as much as transfer to fullback in an try to shift fortunes in Cronulla.
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Fitzgibbon’s Sharks are within the midst of a three-game shedding streak which has dropped them right down to seventh and inside hanging distance of a number of groups making a finals cost.
Sharks medicos are reportedly bracing for the outcomes from scans of Kennedy’s hamstring, with preliminary fears he gained’t take the sphere once more in 2023.
Another possibility for Cronulla is to recall Matt Moylan to put on the No.1 jersey, with the previous Panther starting his profession at fullback.
The 32-year-old was dropped forward of Round 21, with Braydon Trindall profitable the No.6 jersey to companion Hynes within the halves.
However, Hynes stays the apparent selection having emerged as a star fullback for the Storm, enjoying 36 video games off the bench and within the beginning staff underneath Craig Bellamy.
Hynes’ swap may very well be precisely what he must rediscover his type this season, with The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield questioning why the star halfback is experiencing a stoop.
He pointed to Hynes’ bumper $7 million extension introduced in April.
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He additionally defined his sacking from Fittler’s NSW facet after just one recreation, approaching the sphere for the closing minutes towards Queensland, could have contributed.
“Rugby league pin-up boy Nicho Hynes is struggling to live up to those high-pressure expectations as his Cronulla Sharks outfit slides out of premiership contention,” Rothfield wrote.
“Because of his profile, everyone is now asking: what’s wrong with Nicho?
“Was it his sacking from the NSW State of Origin team after 10 minutes in Adelaide that destroyed his confidence? Does he do too much social media and too many photo shoots?
“Is it the more personal issues like supporting his mum in her much-publicised court case?
“Or the pressure of living up to the $7 million contract he signed in April? Or a combination of all of the above.”
Fitzgibbon went in to bat for his star halfback, explaining his effort hasn’t dropped off for the reason that Origin sequence.
“Nicho’s first to admit he can play better but watching his effort and spirit, he’s actually trying his clacker off,” Fitzgibbon stated.
“It’s his second year at halfback and getting the balance right about how you play and complete your sets is a development process. It doesn’t happen straight away.
“You look at the most experienced halves – all these guys have had some footy adversity along the way to becoming great halves.
“Nicho’s aware of it, he’s working through it and training hard. I’m backing him in – he’ll come out the other side. He cares so much, it will turn, I know it will.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
