Sharks 2023 preview: Hynes magic shines confidence over Shark Park

Shark Park was the staging ground of an emergence last year: Nicho Hynes. The rugby league world already knew Melbourne’s fill-in fullback turned star Cronulla halfback was a game-changer, but once he was plugged into the heart of Craig Fitzgibbon’s project he showed just how dominant he could really be.

All that came undone in the 2022 NRL finals with a shock semi-finals exit, but Hynes and the Sharks still enjoyed a scorching run.

Not much has changed for the Cronulla lineup heading into the new season and with all the lessons of Fitzgibbon’s first year—and Hynes has grown in confidence—this next year could be ever better for the Sharks. After all, if your key playmaker is arguably the best in the game, confidence billows into training, play, and every match.

Last year’s finish: 2nd, 18 wins and six losses

Last ten NRL campaigns: 2nd (Semi), 9th, 8th (Qualifying), 7th (Qualifying), 4th (Prelim), 5th (Qualifying), 3rd (Premiers), 6th (Semi), Spoon, 5th (Semi)

Predicted Round 1 lineup

1. Will Kennedy
2. Sione Katoa
3. Jesse Ramien
4. Siosifa Talakai
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Matt Moylan
7. Nicho Hynes
8. Toby Rudolf
9. Blayke Brailey
10. Braden Hamlin-Uele
11. Briton Nikora
12. Teig Wilton
13. Dale Finucane
14. Cameron McInnes
15. Oregon Kaufusi
16. Royce Hunt
17. Wade Graham

Coach: Craig Fitzgibbon

Biggest loss: Andrew Fifita, Aiden Tolman Biggest gain: Oregon Kaufusi

How 2023 is looking for Cronulla

The pressure is already on Nicho Hynes to replicate his Dally M form in 2023 and the Sharks’ fortunes will be closely tied to the halfback guiding the sky-blue squad around the park.

So, the fact Hynes is in doubt for the opening rounds is a big worry.

Regardless, whether he starts in round one or round four makes little difference—all eyes will be on the 26-year-old, and not least his Cronulla teammates. If he can get right back to the quality he was bringing out each and every week last season, the whole team will lift beside him again and can quickly build into a 2023 title challenger.

There are a few issues with the Sharks list, including Matt Moylan never getting back to his past heights and several stars like Siosifa Talakai and Will Kennedy being rocks and diamonds across the two dozen NRL rounds.

That said, all that goes away if Hynes plays to his best. He is so good at the peak of his powers that he can make up for other players’ shortcomings; it’s just about whether Fitzgibbon can get him roaring like that, or even hitting higher powers in 2023. Scary thought that he may still have prime years ahead of him as he heads towards his 30s.

Predicted 2023 finish: 4th

First five: Rabbitohs (H), Eels (A), Raiders (A), Dragons (A), Warriors (H)

TopSport odds: Premiers $12, Make Top 4: $2.80, Make Final 8: $1.42, Miss The Top 8: $2.70

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