Nicho Hynes did not shy away from sharing his feelings on the departure of close friend and teammate Daniel Atkinson to the Dragons at the end of next season.
Atkinson’s time in the Shire will reportedly come to an end at the conclusion of the 2025 season as he prepares to pursue a three-year deal with the Dragons.
The 23-year-old utility had a breakout season with the Sharks in 2024, making 19 appearances and filling in for Hynes while he was sidelined with injury.
The Sharks were unable to hold onto Atkinson’s talent due to salary cap constraints, with Briton Nikora, Braydon Trindall and Oregon Kaufusi all re-signing.
Hynes came through the Melbourne Storm system alongside Atkinson before making the move to Sydney, where he joined the Sharks.
The halfback declared he was “filthy” to learn about his teammate’s looming exit.
“These things happen in rugby league sometimes and I’m filthy about it, of course,” Hynes said.
“He’s a great person. He’s a better person than he’s a footy player and he’s someone that everyone loves having around the club.
“It sucks to lose anybody but in particular somebody like Atko who filed in so nicely for us this year and is a mainstay in our team now.
“He’s an infectious person. It’s going to be hard to see him leave.”
Cronulla have a 10-day window to attempt to convince Atkinson to backflip on his decision to move to the Dragons under the current NRL “cool down” contract rules.
If he accepts to make the move, Atkinson will join Clint Gutherson, Valentine Holmes, Damien Cook and Lachlan Ilias as the star talent signed by the Dragons in the 2024 off-season.