After the significant 46-10 loss for the Cronulla Sharks in the second week of finals against the Sydney Roosters, Andrew Johns is calling for Nicho Hynes to make the switch to five-eighth next season.
Hynes has spent the majority of his career at Cronulla wearing the number seven jersey, but immortal Andrew Johns believes the positional switch is necessary to unlock the best version of the playmaker.
The 2022 Dally M Medallist was taken out of the contest against the Sydney Roosters, suffering a concussion in the opening minutes of their finals week two clash.
Johns has expressed his concerns about the playmaker and his role beyond the recent loss to the Roosters, highlighting Cronulla's five-eighth Braydon Trindall and the Sharks' performances without the number six.
This season, Trindall has taken over the playmaking role and operated as Cronulla's dominant organiser, with Hynes having the freedom to run the football.
Speaking on Nine's 100% Footy, Johns called for the switch to be made in the halves, indicating that Trindall takes over the halfback position with Hynes moving to five-eighth.
“I think the first thing next year is Trindall's got to put the seven on, and Nicho's got to put the six on,” Johns said.
The change wouldn't be much of a tactical overhaul, rather a positional recognition, as Trindall has played the more traditional halfback role for Cronulla this season.
Johns believes this will take the pressure off Hynes as he is seen as Cronulla's marquee man and one of the club's highest-paid players.
“He's there for another three years… this year they've been playing that way. Trindall's been the on-ball halfback,” Johns said.
“I just think psychologically, just changing the number will help Hynes.”
Johns has previously recognised the losses without Trindall available, highlighting their 38-18 loss to the Parramatta Eels in Round 26. At the time, Johns spoke about the expectations and responsibilities associated with wearing the number seven jersey.
“When you're the highest-paid player, you own the result, especially if you wear the seven on your back. With that money comes responsibility,” Johns said.
Cronulla Sharks legend Paul Gallen agreed with Johns' view on the positional switch.
“Trindall steers the team around the park; he's more of the seven on-ball play,” Gallen said.
Gallen also spoke about Hynes's natural running ability and his previous experience playing fullback for the Melbourne Storm.
“Nicho's a great runner of the ball. He played fullback at Melbourne Storm and did a great job,” Gallen said.
The positional switch could unlock Hynes' natural talent and ability without carrying the pressure of the halfback position.
Hynes established himself as an attacking weapon, winning the Dally M in 2022 during his first year at the Cronulla Sharks. Since then, the star has struggled to lead the side deep into finals.
As Trindall has played a more halfback role this season, the switch would not disrupt the Sharks' structure.
It gives Sharks head coach Craig Fitzgibbon a simple way to change Hynes's role while still utilising his talents.
Making the positional switch would formalise what has been working all season: Trindall controlling the game from halfback and Hynes having the freedom to run and create.
