A premiership is always transformative, not just for the club, but for the men who carry its spine.
In 2025, for Nicho Hynes, Nathan Cleary, Jahrome Hughes and Reece Walsh, a title would do more than fill a cabinet.
It would recalibrate how their careers are judged, shift narratives, and in some cases, alter what “greatness” looks like. Below is what that one gleaming season would mean for each.
Nicho Hynes - From inconsistent star to all-time legend
Nicho Hynes arrived at Cronulla with baggage; flashes of brilliance, Dally M honours, but not yet a signature success.
A 2025 premiership would vindicate every decision he made: the move from the Melbourne Storm, the gamble of being the owning his own team, and the burden of being the “guy to beat.”
It would erase lingering doubts that he is a stat-chaser rather than a champion builder. More than that, it could reframe him as one of the era's elite halfbacks, not just in flashes but in impact.
At 29 his window is still open, but not infinite. A title now could push him into the category of players whose reputations were forged not just by metrics, but by winning when it mattered.
Nathan Cleary - The greatest of all time
By 2025, Nathan Cleary has already built a resume many would envy: multiple minor premierships, grand finals, representative honours and a reputation as one of the most talented playmakers in his generation.
Despite his success, many still question if he has surpassed the likes of Andrew Johns and Johnathan Thurston. A 2025 premiership, which would be his fifith ring, would silence doubters who question his standing in all-time debates. It would validate the narrative of his role as a dynasty-builder, an all-time captain, and as the definitive No.7 of his era.
Even for someone so decorated, every egotist wants that last missing medal. For Cleary, 2025 would reaffirm his primacy.
Jahrome Hughes - From rags to riches
Jahrome Hughes' story is one of years spent under the radar. A journeyman fullback turned halfback, gradually transforming into an indispensable playmaker.
Already a 2020 premiership winner and 2024 Dally M medallist, he has legitimacy. But in a team like the Melbourne Storm's, with its history, expectations, and co-stars, a 2025 title gives him more than a medal, it gives him the final piece of his legend.
It recasts him not as a late bloomer or beneficiary of system and structure, but as an all-time great, a halfback who thrives in chaos and recalibrates matches.
Long term, it would open doors into all-time conversations, hitting legacy status in Melbourne, greater national consideration, and a final act that shocks how many perceived his ceiling.
Reece Walsh - The wunderkind turned hero
Reece Walsh already carries the weight of hype. At just 23 and in the Broncos' colours on a long-term deal, he is widely seen as the next generational back.
But promise and hype only go so far. A premiership in 2025 would be the moment he stops being the future and becomes part of the present.
He would be among the few whose peak years included real silverware under pressure, elevating him from starlet to star.
It also changes his narrative internally. Rather than “still chasing that first one,” he becomes the one others chase. His career arc shifts to being a young champion, rather than a slash-and-burn wunderkind.
