Nicho Hynes wins inaugural Paul Green medal after imperious performance against North Queensland
BREAKING NEWS: Nicho Hynes wins inaugural Paul Green Medal after imperious display against North Queensland as the football legend’s widow presents him with the award
Nicho Hynes’ incredible performance against the Cowboys has been recognized with the Sharks pistol winning the first ever Paul Green Medal.
The award – named after the late footy legend who is fondly remembered as a greatness of both North Queensland and Cronulla – was presented to the Dally M winner after leading his side to a 44-6 win on Thursday night.
Green’s widow, Amanda, was present at the game and watched her children lead the teams out for kickoff, later presenting the medal to Hynes after the final whistle.
Hynes missed just one of his seven conversions and added a try to the scoreboard in a one-sided affair at PointsBet Stadium.
But Green was not far from the minds of everyone on the ground on Thursday night, with fans and players observing a minute of applause for the decorated former player and coach.
Nicho Hynes received the first-ever Paul Green Medal following the Sharks’ victory
The winner of the Dally M holds onto his new medal after Thursday night’s game
Green was found dead at his home in Brisbane on August 11 last year after committing suicide and suffering from an advanced form of CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy).
CTE is a neurodegenerative disease that can affect athletes who endure repeated concussions and headbutts during their careers in contact sports such as rugby league, martial arts and American football.
The 49-year-old delivered North Queensland’s only premiership in 2015 and is fondly remembered by the NRL world as a footballing legend.
Green retired as the Cowboys’ coach in 2020, but was still highly regarded in the league and would become an assistant to Wayne Bennett with the Dolphins this year.
As a player, he played at halfback for the Sharks from 1994 to 1998, leading them to the 1997 Super League Grand Final.
Green went on to play for the Cowboys, Roosters and Eels in a first-class career that spanned 10 years and ended in 2004, with 162 games and 37 tries to his name.
Hynes says a few words after Cronulla’s massive victory over North Queensland
The 26-year-old talks to Green’s children and wife, Amanda, on Thursday after the game