sport news How Nicho Hynes overcame traumatic childhood to win NRL's Dally M - as star ... trends now
Cronulla Sharks star Nicho Hynes won the Dally M Medal on Wednesday night in record-breaking fashion - and the halfback gained even more fans in rugby league circles after thanking his mother on stage.
Julie Hynes has endured plenty of hardship in her life, including stints in jail when the NRL playmaker was a child growing up on the NSW Central Coast at Umina.
But Hynes' deep love for his mother remains, and she was also his date at rugby league's glittering night of nights in Sydney.
Speaking on the Today show on Thursday morning - after 'less than a couple of hours sleep' - Hynes again emphasised just how much he appreciates having her in his life.
'She means a lot... my whole family do,' the 26-year-old said.
'Mum has been a big part of why I am so lucky to have this [Dally M] Medal. 'So has my dad, brother and stepmum...I am very grateful for their ongoing support.'
Hynes shifted from the Storm to the Sharks in the off-season, and was a revelation in the Shire.
In his first full campaign as a NRL halfback, Hynes guided Cronulla to second spot on the ladder.
He also polled a record 38 votes - the most of any player in the medal's history.
Sydney Roosters fullback James Tedesco (33 votes) and Dragons halfback Ben Hunt (32 votes) also polled well.
In May, Hynes opened up about the pain of watching his mother being taken to jail by police when he was in primary school.
When incarcerated, Julie Hynes was stunned to discover the family's Indigenous heritage.
A beaming Hynes recalled telling his primary school classmates the
