In the third installment of our 2024 NRL depth analysis, sharks.com.au examines the squad’s playmaking options.
Options are reduced by half.
Nicho Hynes With NSW and Kangaroos appearances last year cementing his standing as one of the game’s finest playmakers, the 2022 Dally M medalist has a mortgage on the No.7 jumper.
Hynes, who is entering his third NRL season as a full-time halfback, has the potential to improve even further.
Braydon Trindall
Trindall forced his way into the team as the first-choice five-eighth by the end of 2023 and looks set to continue his blossoming partnership with Hynes come round one.
A gifted playmaker with strong kicking and running abilities, the 24-year-old seemingly has a golden opportunity to make the No.6 his own following the departure of veteran Matt Moylan.
Niwhai Puru
A former junior Panthers star, 21-year-old Puru joined the Sharks last season and showed his wares for feeder team Newtown in the NSW Cup as he notched up 11 try assists and 15 line-break assists in 21 games.
Possessing great sleight of hand and a pinpoint left boot, he’ll keep the pressure on the incumbents.
Kade Dykes
While Dykes’ two first-grade appearances have come at fullback, he is more than comfortable in the halves. The 21-year-old began as a five-eighth and, prior to an ACL injury, was splitting his time between the front line and the No.1 jumper for Newtown in 2022.
Daniel Atkinson
Boasting a strong kicking game and handy versatility, Atkinson debuted for the Sharks in a cameo off the bench last year after earning a contract extension until 2025.
The former Storm player boasts plenty of skill and certainly wouldn’t look out of place if called upon at NRL level in the halves.
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