Like the 2021 Panthers, the Sharks finished the regular season in second place but suffered a narrow loss in the first week of the finals, forcing them into a sudden-death semi.
Last year's Panthers then pieced together two gritty, defensive wins to advance to the grand final and win their third premiership.
History will tell the Sharks that's no small feat.
In the NRL era, only six of 24 premiers lost their first final, including only two of the last 15.
But Hynes says his teammates aren't concerned by the prospect of coming from outside the winners' circle to claim the title.
"The Panthers did it last year, so it can't be too tough," Hynes said with a smile.
"We'll try and draw inspiration off that. They did it last year so we've got to just keep fighting, keep chipping away, working hard each day at training."
Standing between the Sharks and a spot in the decider are last year's two grand finalists.
They'll face South Sydney at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night and with a win, can progress to meet the Panthers.
"There's no secret, it's going to be extremely tough," Hynes told reporters.
"But it's only one week at a time."
Also working against the Sharks is a poor recent record in the play-offs.
Since winning the premiership in 2016, Cronulla have won only one of their seven finals games.
But Hynes said he had no concerns about the current crop's ability to crack the finals hoodoo under first-year coach Craig Fitzgibbon.
"We're a new team with a new coach and new players," he said.
"Those records are in the past. All we're worried about is this weekend and creating our own history and our own legacy."
NRL PREMIERS WHO LOST THEIR FIRST FINALS GAME
2021 - Penrith Panthers
2015 - North Queensland Cowboys
2006 - Brisbane Broncos*
2004 - Canterbury Bulldogs*
1999 - Melbourne Storm*
1998 - Brisbane Broncos*
*Under previous finals structure
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