‘One bad game’? $1m reality Nicho must cop... and lesson he can learn from legend — Crawls

Nicho Hynes fair dinkum had me choking on my Thai in the Green Room at Fox Sports this week.

I was sitting there chewing the fat with Gorden and Braith before NRL 360 when I heard Nicho on the TV in the background come up with one of the quotes of the season.

Watch every game of the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series before the Grand Final LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

WHAT'S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.

“It is only a month ago people like you guys were interviewing me telling me I am in the form of my career,” Nicho said in response to his return to form against the Cowboys.

“And then one bad game and all of a sudden I am the worst player in the world.”

I looked at the TV screen confused about what I’d just heard.

Did the recent criticism really come after one bad game, or several bad games when Braydon Trindall was out injured?

Then, on the same night, I heard James Tedesco explain how Daly Cherry-Evans fronted his Roosters teammates immediately after Sunday’s loss to Penrith and took responsibility for failing to nail the big moments.

That’s DCE owning what he signed up for.

So the question I’ll ask today is this:

Is Nicho really unfairly scrutinised and criticised?

Or could/should he take a leaf out of DCE’s book?

I reckon it’s a legitimate debate ahead of Saturday night’s elimination shootout between the Sharks and Roosters.

Especially when you consider the bloke wearing the No.7 jumper on the opposing team is reportedly earning half Nicho’s salary, yet carries arguably even greater expectation.

The Sharks pay Hynes $1 million a season.

Cherry-Evans is on about $500,000 at the Chooks.

If Cronulla lose on Saturday night, there will obviously be disappointment and Hynes’ performance will again come under the microscope.

But most people will probably accept the Sharks had their work cut out against this star-studded Roosters side, especially with Trindall battling his bung shoulder.

DCE won’t be afforded the same excuses.

LUIA: ‘Plea’ to NRL as Tigers legend makes stunning Luai claim that ‘changes everything’

TALKING POINTS: Blunder Warriors must not repeat; ‘bollocks’ DCE lie exposed as $1.4m Ponga truth laid bare

Luai no-show deepens Tigers rift | 01:46

Not even with Sam Walker missing.

The Roosters didn’t bring Cherry-Evans to Bondi to make up the numbers.

They brought him there to win a comp.

The obvious comparison is Cooper Cronk, who arrived at the Roosters late in his career and walked away with two more premierships.

Plenty said at the start of the season that if the Roosters didn’t at least make the grand final, the season would be judged a failure.

That is the brutal reality for DCE after 16 seasons in the NRL.

For all Cherry-Evans has achieved with Manly, Queensland and Australia, his lasting legacy as a club footballer could still be shaped by what happens in this final game at the age of 37, with the premiership he won as a rookie under Des Hasler in 2011 now a distant memory.

Hynes, meanwhile, again took the opportunity this week to fire back at his critics after his impressive performance against the Cowboys.

“I know I’m a heavily criticised player, it comes with the job and it comes with the status,” Hynes said.

“Is it warranted all the time?

He then went on to make the statement about the “one bad game”.

It’s understandable Hynes gets narky having to wear so much of the blame whenever the Sharks don’t aim up.

And he is entitled to have his say after a finals victory.

But it’s also fair to say there was more than “one bad game” while Trindall was out.

And we can’t ignore that Trindall is reportedly earning about $650,000 compared to Hynes’ seven-figure salary.

Anasta and Read clash on rested Roosters | 01:27

As Andrew Johns said recently about Nicho’s form towards the back end of the season: “When you’re the highest-paid player you own the result, especially if you wear the 7 on your back.”

It may not always be fair.

But it’s the reality of playing halfback on the big money.

And yet on Saturday night, Hynes arguably still has more wriggle room than the bloke on the opposing team earning half his salary.

The Roosters are expected to win, and going out the finals back door would be viewed as a massive failure after adding DCE and Reece Robson to the roster this year.

Yet hardly a finger has been pointed at Robson during the Roosters’ recent rough patch.

Because, as Joey said, it’s the halfback who owns the result.

Cherry-Evans has carried that scrutiny throughout his illustrious career, and you rarely hear him complain about it.

He just owns the expectation and gets on with the job.

Maybe there’s a lesson in that for Nicho.

'You can't trust Latrell!' | 01:26

IS LATRELL LESS RISK TO SOUTHS THAN LETTING ADAM REYNOLDS WALK AT A SIMILAR AGE?

Latrell Mitchell turns 30 next year.

It’s a similar age to when South Sydney baulked at offering Adam Reynolds a multi-year extension.

While I’m sure Souths would now look back with tremendous regret at how the Reynolds situation played out, I would argue Latrell’s body presents an even greater risk moving forward than Reynolds did when he left for the Broncos.

I made the point on NRL 360 on Tuesday night that I think it would be totally irresponsible for Souths to offer Latrell a new deal anytime soon.

That is not saying Souths should get rid of Latrell like they did with Reyno when his contract expires at the end of next year.

It is simply saying Latrell needs to go away, take some time to consider where his career is at, then come back and train the house down during pre-season.

If he can get himself fit and help the Rabbitohs to a successful season next year, then reward him with the big-money extension.

We all know when Latrell is at his best, he is worth well in excess of $1 million a season.

But there is no point paying superstar money if you are not getting superstar performances on a consistent basis.

Of course, there is a risk Latrell could attract a rich offer from a rival club once he is free to negotiate from November 1.

But that is a risk Souths should be prepared to take because I just can’t see a powerhouse club paying Latrell big money in the current condition he is in.

Sure, he could go to a struggling club prepared to throw huge money at him, just as Jarome Luai did when he joined Wests Tigers.

Or Latrell can come back next season, prove just how badly he wants to stay at Souths and do the work that goes with being one of the highest-paid players in the game.

Souths don’t need to make that decision now.

Latrell has the next 12 months to make it for them.