Phil Gould has applauded the patience of Melbourne Storm's Nicho Hynes after he signed a blockbuster deal with the Cronulla Sharks, but has a warning for the 24-year-old.
Hynes will join new coach Craig Fitzgibbon at the Sharks next season on a three-year deal reportedly worth $1.8 million.
Gould said it was a well-deserved reward for Hynes, who has been with the Storm since 2019 but has failed to get much game time within such a talented squad.
He added that the likes of Shaun Johnson and Matt Moylan, both off contract at the end of this season, would now be looking over their shoulders.
"Considering they've got a couple of big names coming off contract at the Sharks, it's a big signing. It's virtually [saying] this is where we're heading and it's probably put a couple of other players on notice as well," Gould told James Bracey on Wide World of Sports' Six Tackles with Gus podcast.
"Nicho is a kid that has been in the system at a very strong club at the Melbourne Storm for some time now. He struggles to get in the starting side when everyone's fit and well, gets some chances off the bench occasionally, and then during an injury run you get to see him go out and play in that side and excel."
After flagging his intention to leave Melbourne for a starting job elsewhere, along with the Sharks, Hynes had the Broncos, Raiders and Warriors all vying for his signature.
Gould said it's a testament to the patience Hynes had shown that he waited as long as he did to seek an opportunity at another NRL club.
"Had he left two or three years ago, depends where he lands, but no-one was going to sign him as a starter three years ago," Gould said.
"He'd probably have gone somewhere doing the same role he's doing now. He got typecast as a bench utility; a handy player. It takes great foresight to stick with it that long.
https://twitter.com/Cronulla_Sharks/status/1399657849106550788
"You've got to think about the work ethic, and courage and the sheer passion and love for the game for him to keep persevering at that club when he's behind a wall of very talented players and they've been winning premierships and going to grand finals and he only gets his chance if there's an injury or rep football, and sometimes he doesn't get to play in his preferred position.
"But he's hung in. He's going to be 25 later this month so to suddenly be rewarded with a contract like this is tremendous.
"I think the Melbourne Storm will be cheering for him and everyone in the game is saying that is is reward for effort, for hanging in there."
However Gould warned that the pressure will now be on the utility to live up to his hefty price-tag at the Sharks, especially if he takes the reins in the halves.
"With great money comes great responsibility," Gould said.
"Now that you're paying him that much money, he's going to expect to get results.
"He'll be viewed in a completely different light, he'll be analysed in a completely different way, he'll have his own team to run, whether they play him at halfback, five-eighth or fullback. I think he's a six."
Gould believes many players should take a leaf from Hynes' playbook and learn from his experience, arguing that not every player is immediately prepared for the rigours of a starting role in the NRL at a young age.
"I think it's exciting. I think it's a lesson for all players and a lesson for every club. For development, you've just got to persevere," Gould said.
"Not all kids are ready at 20 or 21 to be superstars or be playing NRL, they're just not. Some need time to find their feet and get their opportunity.
"Nicho Hynes, if he had left the Melbourne Storm two or three years ago because he's not getting a run at first grade, and he landed at a club that's at the bottom of the table and getting beaten each week and playing with inferior players, what's he worth today?
"I say to young players… 'Mate you're better off being here with the players you're playing with, and the experience that's in this place and your aim is to be the best 23-year-old footballer you can be. Now you can run off and try and get a first-grade job with someone else, but let me tell you how that's going to look in three years time. You stay here, this is what it'll look like at 23, 24. Then if you make it here, you'll make it anywhere'. And I think that's where Nicho Hynes is now."
For Gould he's advised young players to follow three important factors when considering their next move.
"It's a lesson for young players to stick with the environment where you are safe, happy and confident. Those three elements are really important," he said.
"Money is not the be all and end all. Sometimes you've got to be patient and wait your time.
"The rewards come eventually if you're good enough but sometimes you can ruin your career by making a bad decision at the wrong time."
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