Cronulla Sharks star Nicho Hynes certainly stole the show at the Dally M awards on Wednesday night (September 28).
Not only did he take home the Dally M medal and halfback of the year award but was also awarded the Provan-Summons spirit of NRL award for his work in raising mental health awareness.
Following the death of legendary coach Paul Green, Hynes spoke candidly in the days proceeding to make a powerful statement about mental health and suicide awareness.
The Queensland’s coach heartbreaking death at 49 sent shockwaves through the NRL community earlier this year.
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Hynes spoke about the tragedy just days later in a post-match TV interview.
He said: “There’s ‘R U OK’ day every year and it’s coming up soon, but I think we need to have ‘R U OK’ day every single day of the year.
“We need to think about it a bit more and spread the message of mental health. It’s such an important thing at the moment."
He then sent a message of love to Green’s family, saying: "All of us here at the Sharks are thinking of you.
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“He was an important part of this club and I just want to pay my respects and condolences to you guys, we’re thinking of you.”
Hynes capped off a fantastic season with the Sharks running away with the Dally M medal and finishing on a record 38 points.
At the mid-way point of the season, he was three points behind then-leader Ben Hunt, but his second half of the season form saw him beat out James Tedesco by five points, with Hunt finishing in third.
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However, his most meaningful moment of the awards night came after being honoured with the Provan Summons award.
Hynes spoke on stage, saying: “People commit suicide too much these days and if I can play an important role in trying to change that, and get people to speak up, I'm going to raise more awareness of that."
After joining the Sharks at the beginning of the season Hynes became just the fifth player in history to claim the Dally M honour in their first season at a new club.
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He said of the achievement: "I can hand on heart say I came here not expecting anything at all.
"I can't believe it. It's bloody crazy. I am pinching myself.
"To have this around my neck. I frothed Johnathan Thurston growing up, Andrew Johns.
"And now I am alongside them. It's unbelievable."
Topics: Australia, NRL, Rugby League
Jayden Collins