Cronulla rocked by bombshell Nicho Hynes news ahead of Sharks' crucial elimination final
- Nicho Hynes is set to miss Cronulla's final against the Roosters
By JASPER BRUCE FOR AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS and JAMES COONEY, SENIOR SPORT REPORTER, AUSTRALIA
Published: | Updated:
Superstar halfback Nicho Hynes is set to miss Cronulla's elimination final against the Sydney Roosters after receiving a one-game ban from the match review committee.
The former Dally M Medallist was placed on report for a hip drop-style tackle on Marcelo Montoya that left the Canterbury winger unable to finish the Sharks' 24-6 win on Saturday.
Montoya's ankle became caught awkwardly under Hynes' knee and he needed assistance leaving the field in the dying minutes at Accor Stadium.
He appears highly unlikely to play in the Bulldogs' qualifying final against Melbourne next week.
Hynes has since received a grade-two dangerous contact charge that would end his season if the Sharks fell to the red-hot Roosters at Shark Park next week.
The halfback would risk missing a second finals game, or the first round of 2026, if he unsuccessfully pleaded his case at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night.
Marcelo Montoya will go for scans on a right ankle injury & the Bulldogs indicate he is in extreme doubt to play next week.
Mechanism brings concern for syndesmosis injury with contact causing foot to twist out. Scans to determine severity but considering traumatic nature +… pic.twitter.com/fkdPGDIQAB
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) September 7, 2025
Nicho Hynes (pictured) is set to miss Cronulla's elimination final against the Sydney Roosters
Hynes received a grade-two dangerous contact charge that would end his season if the Sharks fell to the red-hot Roosters at Shark Park next week
'The thing that Nicho has in his favour is that it's a grade two - if he can convince the panel that it's a grade one and it's equivalent to some of the other grade one charges, it can be downgraded and it's a fine,' Billy Slater told Nine's Sunday Footy Show.
'It's a tough one, to play all year and then miss the game that you most want to play in, it's a tough situation for Nicho.'
Andrew Johns said he'd like the rules to be adjusted for finals footy.
'I'd like to see if someone gets a one-week suspension, they have a stay of proceedings like they do with the jockeys,' the Knights legend said.
'Cameron Smith and Issac Luke missed a grand final for a short suspension.'
The club is understood to be considering its options and does not have to enter a plea until midday on Tuesday.
Losing Hynes for the clash with the Roosters would be devastating for the Sharks, who would likely play Daniel Atkinson next to Braydon Trindall in the halves.
Atkinson is rated highly but has started only one game this season, playing second fiddle to Hynes in the win over the Bulldogs as Trindall rested a minor ankle injury.
Hynes also brings valuable on-field leadership, given the Sharks are already entering finals without their injured captain Cameron McInnes.
Daily Mail
