Nicho Hynes has soared back into top spot on the Dally M leaderboard after a masterful showing for the Sharks against Canberra.
Playing alongside a new halves partner in Daniel Atkinson following Braydon Trindall's exit from the side, Hynes was a class above in the nation's capital with a try, two try assists, three linebreak assists, five tackle breaks and six goals from seven attempts giving the halfback another six-point Dally M haul.
"There's a nice balance to his game at the moment," said Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon of the Origin hopeful after the win over the Raiders.
"We all know he can make really nice plays – he's obviously got the talent and skill – but I thought he's knuckled down well and kept his defence more important.
"It's as good as I've seen him defend at the moment.
"He wouldn't look out of place [in Origin again]."
Raiders v Sharks – Round 8, 2024
The 2022 Dally M Medallist leads the voting after Round 8, one point clear of Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards after he collected four points in Penrith's narrow win over North Queensland, and two clear of Manly pair Daly Cherry-Evans and Tom Trbojevic following the Sea Eagles' win over Parramatta.
All four of the Storm's spine picked up points in their thrashing of South Sydney – Cameron Munster collecting the maximum six points while Ryan Papenhuyzen (3), Jahrome Hughes (2) and Harry Grant (1) split the rest.
Munster was one of six players to collect all six points on offer across the weekend, with Titans fullback AJ Brimson, Roosters half Sam Walker, Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds and Knights debutant David Armstrong joining Munster and Hynes.
Quite the debut for Armstrong
Voting for the Dally M award will go behind closed doors after Round 12.
Dally M Leaderboard after Round 8
22 points
Nicho Hynes (Sharks)
21 points
Dylan Edwards (Panthers)
20 points
Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles)
Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles)
19 points
Zac Lomax (Dragons)
18 points
Patrick Carrigan (Broncos)
Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs)
17 points
Kalyn Ponga (Knights)
16 points
Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins)
14 points
Reece Walsh (Broncos)
13 points
Adam Reynolds (Broncos)
Ben Hunt (Dragons)
Jahrome Hughes (Storm)
Ryan Papenhuyzen (Storm)