Adam Dykes

Adam Dykes (born 5 February 1977 in Sydney, New South Wales) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s, and 2000s. He played in the National Rugby League for Sydney clubs, the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and Parramatta Eels, and in Super League for English club Hull F.C. Dykes' usual position was five-eighth, though he has also been shuffled around the backs during his career, playing minor parts of it at both Lock and in the half back role.

Dykes began playing rugby league at an early age after being heavily involved and influenced into the game by his father John Dykes who was a professional player himself for one season in 1976 for the Cronulla Sharks, along with also being their reserve grade coach between 1993 and 1994.

With Adam Dykes possessing copious amounts of talent at a young age rising into grade as a 16-year-old. Dykes was selected in the Australian under 15's and 17's squads and is seen as one of the Sharks most talented juniors ever to rise through the ranks. Dykes was the five eighth in the famous 1994 Presidents Cup winning team that former ARL head Ken Arthurson labelled the best U/21 team he'd ever seen.

Dykes made his first grade debut for the Cronulla Sharks as an 18-year-old in the 1995 season (11 March, round 1) against the Newcastle Knights. With several impressive performances for the club he quickly cemented his position in John Lang's outfit as a key impact player off the interchange bench.

After spending 1996 as a utility player off the bench, Dykes was given the chance to prove himself as a regular starter in the halves. In 1997, Dykes played a prominent role in the Sharks season, ending in the Sharks Super League grand final loss to the Brisbane Broncos. In 2001 he rose to represent City in the annual City vs Country Origin match, was selected for the Australian train on squad, crowned the Daily M five eighth of the year and named in the NRL team of the year.