Nicho Hynes has all-but admitted he will be forced to leave Melbourne despite his desire to stay at the Storm - but coach Craig Bellamy is still holding onto the hope of keeping the talented utility.
Hynes is a man in demand after a breakout start to the 2021 campaign for the Storm.
The 24-year-old was once again one of the Storm’s standout players in Saturday’s 34-10 comeback victory over the Canberra Raiders.
Hynes made his NRL debut in Round 21 of the 2019 season and played 11 games last season.
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The full-back/five-eighth has been a revelation for the Storm so far this campaign after filling in for injured superstars Ryan Papenhuyzen and Cameron Munster.
Hynes would be a starter at most NRL clubs but will almost certainly be forced back to the bench when the likes of Papenhuyzen and Munster return.
“I’m just waiting for a few offers to come onto the table so I can make my decision,” Hynes, who has been linked with the Broncos, Cowboys and Bulldogs, told Fox League when asked for an update on his contract situation on Saturday night..
“I just want to do my job for the Storm and I’ve been very vocal in saying that I would love to stay at this club but unfortunately that might not happen because I won’t be able to start each and every week.
“I’m open to anything at the moment but right now I just really want to play some good footy and focus on the Storm.”
He added when asked if he has viewed his increased playing time as a chance to make a statement.
“Yeah for sure, I’ll play anywhere for this team, I love playing for this team and when all the boys are back if I have to go back to the bench I’ll do a role there,” he told Fox League.
“It’s unfortunate for Paps, he’s had a couple of injuries and his start to the year was phenomenal but I’m just lucky now that I’ve got this opportunity … and I’m going to keep doing my job for the team.”
Speaking post-match, Bellamy did not think Hynes latest performance would have shown rival clubs anything they didn’t already know about the talented back.
The veteran coach is yet to announce his own plans for 2022 and beyond but urged Hynes to strongly consider extending his stay at the club.
“I don’t think tonight would make too much difference really in that he’s been like that for the last three or four weeks since he’s been full-time in the team,” Bellamy said.
“Just I suppose his involvement has been the real impressive thing for my, he’s just been involved everywhere.
“We’re obviously really, really keen to keep him and hopefully we can but as I said he’s playing some really good footy at the moment but we’d like him to stay.
“Hopefully he’ll take into consideration, he’s fitted in really well with us and he’s definitely in our 17 ad he can fill a whole heap of spaces so like I say, we’d love to hang onto him if we can.”
