The Sharks are reportedly set to begin negotiations to re-sign superstar halfback Nicho Hynes on a deal that could lock him down for the remainder of his NRL career.
According to The Daily Telegraph’s Buzz Rothfield, Cronulla powerbrokers table a multimillion-dollar extension after a breakout season in 2022.
Hynes originally signed with the Sharks from the Storm on a contract reportedly worth $600,000-a-season over three years.
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The 26-year-old’s value has since skyrocketed after the halfback won the Dally M Medal last season and led Cronulla to a second-place finish in the regular season.
The Sharks are now reportedly looking to hand Hynes a four-year extension worth around $3.5 million, equating to around $875,000 per-year.
Hynes is a fan favourite at Pointsbet Stadium and has emerged as a cult hero alongside fellow Sharks legends Andrew Ettingshausens, Gavin Miller and Steve Rogers.
Sharks chairman Steve Mace explained that Hynes encompasses what the club’s “DNA is all about”.
“We want Nicho at the club for the rest of his playing career and after football as well,” Mace said to News Corp.
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“On and off the field he is what our DNA is all about.
“When the time is right we will sit down and have the conversation around a long-term deal.”
Hynes was one of the Indigenous All Stars’ best on their way to a 28-24 victory over the Maori All Stars.
The gun halfback is also still dealing with family issues after his mother faced court and pleaded not guilty to one count of taking part in the supply of a prohibited drug related to an alleged heroin operation.
Indigenous All Stars head coach Ron Griffiths said the gun halfback was “destined for greatness” and labelled Hynes a “beautiful person” after his side’s victory.
