Hynes forces way back into the top in Dally M race

Cronulla Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes has soared back into top spot on the Dally M leaderboard after a masterful showing for the Sharks in their 40-0 win over the Canberra yesterday.

The 2022 Dally M Medallist leads the voting after Round 8 with 22 points.

Hynes scored a try, assisted with two other tries, made three linebreak assists, five tackle breaks and six goals from seven attempts giving him another six-point Dally M haul.

Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon says there's a nice balance to Hynes’ game at the moment.

Fitzgibbon says Hynes obviously got the talent and skill and he has kept his defence more important.

He says the 27-year-old would not look out of place for the State Of Origin again.

Fiji Bati and Bulldogs forward Viliame Kikau is currently in 5th place with 18 points alongside Patrick Carrigan.

The voting for the Dally M award will go behind closed doors after Round 12.

Meanwhile, in the other round 8 matches, the Titans beat the Warriors 27-24, the Roosters thrashed the Dragons 60-18, the Storm outclassed the Rabbitohs 54-20, the Sea Eagles defeated the Eels 32-18, the Broncos beat the West Tigers 34-10, the Panthers overcame the Cowboys 26-20 and the Knights defeated the Dolphins 18-14.