Acknowledging that he might have to leave Storm in order to secure a full-time starting position
The Melbourne Storm’s in-demand player Nicho Hynes says he wants to stay, but he might have to move in order to get a full-time starting spot.
Melbourne’s ball-playing fullback was outstanding once more on Saturday night as they crushed Canberra 34–10. As a starting player, Hynes has flourished, but only when Cameron Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen aren’t around.
He said he was waiting on other possible suitors and that he was currently in contract negotiations with both Brisbane and Melbourne.
On Saturday night, Hynes told Fox League, “I’m just waiting for a few offers to come on the table so I can make my decision.”
“All I want to do is work for the Storm and concentrate on representing this club to the best of my abilities. I have expressed my desire to continue attending this club, but I regret to inform you that I may not be able to do so as I will not be able to start every week.
“I’m open to anything at the moment but right now, I just really want to play some good footy and focus on the Storm.”
“It’s probably the first time it’s ever really happened to me in my footy career, with the media speculation around me,” he stated.
“At first, I was a little anxious and may have had a few restless nights as I considered what would happen and how I would go with my next professional move.
“At the moment, though, all I’m thinking about is the Melbourne Storm and my excellent play; the rest will work itself out. All I want to do is give the Melbourne Storm my all in the hopes of going on a run to try and win another premiership.”
Given that Hynes wants to start playing full-time, Melbourne might not be able to keep him. While Storm head coach Craig Bellamy claimed that he was a valuable member of the 17, Papenhuyzen and Munster are unquestionably fixed fixtures in the starting lineup when
“Hopefully he’ll take into consideration, he’s fitted in really well with us and he’s definitely in our 17 and he can fill a whole heap of spaces,” Bellamy told reporters on Saturday.
“We’re obviously really, really keen to keep him and hopefully we can but as I said, he’s playing some really good footy at the moment but we’d like him to stay.”
Hynes stated on The Sunday Footy Show: “I don’t think I would be living my dream right now if it weren’t for the Melbourne Storm, who have helped shape me into the player I am.
“I simply have the utmost regard for Craig, Frank [Ponissi], the Storm football manager, this playing group, and the team. If there is something here for me, I would like to sit down with Craig over the next several days and see what role he has for me over the next few seasons.
“I wish I could stay. I have, of course, made no secret of my desire to lead and play a major role in the spine. Given that there are so many excellent players in my position, it is reasonable to assume that this may not be the case in this instance.
Hynes should be entering his prime as he approaches his 25th birthday. With his apparent skill and a price tag that should still be affordable, he seems like the perfect addition to a rival team for the upcoming campaign.
