Nicho Hynes

The 25-year-old was the feel-good story of 2021 and the living proof of perseverance paying off.

Now, he’s settled into his new home in Cronulla, across the road from the beach — a perk for the Central Coast product — with his best mate. And as for his new club?

“I’m loving it,” Hynes told Foxsports.com.au.

Everything has fallen into place for Hynes. He enjoyed a breakout season for the Storm, was included in the New South Wales extended squad for Origin III and became a marquee signing for the Sharks.

Hynes signed a three-year deal with the Sharks in June after becoming a breakout star of the 2021 season.

There’s a theory that players never reach their best form again after leaving the Storm but the 25-year-old is determined to prove that “crap” theory is wrong.

Speaking to reporters on Monday — his first day back at training — Hynes hosed down any concern that he’ll fizzle out under new coach Craig Fitzgibbon.

The affable paceman's hard luck, performing drinks duties 19 times for Steve Waugh's all-conquering Test attack, was seen as a true measure of Australia's dominance at the time.

A team as good as Waugh's could afford to keep Bichel mixing the Gatorade.

The most remarkable facet of the Melbourne Storm's bid for a record 20 straight wins this year is Craig Bellamy doesn't know who his Andy Bichel is after winning for the past five months.

Or even exactly what his best 17 looks like.

The 24-year-old fullback, who has starred for Melbourne in the absence of the injured Ryan Papenhuzen in recent weeks, will join Cronulla at the end of the year on a deal running through to the 2024 season.

"I love the Melbourne Storm and deciding to leave was one of the toughest decisions I've had to make in my life," Hynes said.

"Storm has made me who I am not only on the field but off the field as well. All the coaches and players have not only been great supporters of my rugby league career, but also the journey I'm on in my life."

But the off-contract 24-year-old has dismissed claims he has already been offered a 2022 deal by Brisbane.

Hynes added to his already impressive highlights reel on Sunday when he once again stepped up in star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen's absence to help seal a 44-18 win over St George Illawarra.

He was initially slotted in at five-eighth for a Storm side missing Cameron Munster for the Dragons clash after filling in admirably over the previous three weeks for Papenhuyzen.