King and Hynes disprove NRL’s old Storm theory

George Clarke | April 19, 2023

An old wives’ tale in rugby league circles holds that those who leave the Melbourne Storm for pastures new are unable to recapture their form at their next club.

But Canterbury prop Max King and Cronulla halfback Nicho Hynes are debunking the myth that players can excel without a sprinkling of Craig Bellamy’s magic dust.

Hynes was the winner of the Dally M Medal in his first year at Cronulla in 2022 and is being discussed as a five-eighth option for NSW’s State of Origin side in next month’s series opener.

King made the switch from Melbourne to Belmore with much less fanfare, also for last year, after a horrific run with injury.

But the 25 year-old forward is holding up a depleted Canterbury pack by averaging an hour in the front row and clocking up more than 120m per game for the first time in his career.

“I learned so much and I was grateful for the time I had at Melbourne,” King said.

“Coming to the Bulldogs last year I thought as long as I got healthy, the experience I had at Melbourne I could bring a positive part of that culture to the Bulldogs.

“I think it was a great stepping stone for my development.”

King will have his hands full competing with Hynes’ Sharks on Saturday, as the Canterbury casualty list grows by the week.

He and Hynes grew close during their time together on one of Bellamy’s infamous work placements.

“We were concreting and doing a rubbish job of it,” King said.

“I think the bloke couldn’t wait to get rid of us on work placement.

“We want him (Hynes) to have a shocker on the weekend, but he’s going great as a player and he’s a really good bloke.

“You see it at training but the level he’s reached – I’m only going to be honest – I am surprised.”

King also reiterated a desire to represent England after being overlooked for their World Cup campaign.

The prop was born in Huddersfield while his father, Dave, was playing in the UK.

“The phone didn’t ring … but that all comes off the back of playing good and having a role in a successful side which is the main goal for me,” King added.