Cronin says Lyon should do what makes him happy
18 March 2004
Jamie Lyon's shock retirement from the National Rugby League has presented former Test centre Mick Cronin with a unique problem.
"He's my son's favourite player and we've just bought a jersey with (Lyon's) No.3 on the back," Cronin said with a wry laugh.
"I don't know if we'll have to retire it now or what."
Lyon shocked Parramatta earlier this week when he was granted indefinite personal leave by the club.
It is thought that the 22-year old has returned to his home town of Wee Waa, in NSW's far north.
More than most others, Cronin is uniquely placed to comment on the situation Lyon finds himself in.
One of Parramatta's most revered players, Cronin played 216 games for the Eels between 1977-86, including the glory years of the early to mid-80s, during which the club won all of its four premierships.
Unlike Lyon, he did not completely relocate to Sydney, instead famously commuting five hours a day from his home in Gerringong, on the NSW south coast, to training and back.
But he still understands the pressure someone so unfamiliar to city life, as Lyon was, feels.
"Every day is not a good day, so yeah, I can understand what he's going through," Cronin said.
"At the end of the day, no-one can make you like Sydney, can they?"
When asked if he'd like to see Lyon return to the field, Cronin said that it wasn't his call to make.
"Well, you'd like to see him doing what he is happiest doing," Cronin said.
"I think he's a great player, one we're yet to see the best of.
"You've got to go with whatever decision he makes."
18 March 2004
Jamie Lyon's shock retirement from the National Rugby League has presented former Test centre Mick Cronin with a unique problem.
"He's my son's favourite player and we've just bought a jersey with (Lyon's) No.3 on the back," Cronin said with a wry laugh.
"I don't know if we'll have to retire it now or what."
Lyon shocked Parramatta earlier this week when he was granted indefinite personal leave by the club.
It is thought that the 22-year old has returned to his home town of Wee Waa, in NSW's far north.
More than most others, Cronin is uniquely placed to comment on the situation Lyon finds himself in.
One of Parramatta's most revered players, Cronin played 216 games for the Eels between 1977-86, including the glory years of the early to mid-80s, during which the club won all of its four premierships.
Unlike Lyon, he did not completely relocate to Sydney, instead famously commuting five hours a day from his home in Gerringong, on the NSW south coast, to training and back.
But he still understands the pressure someone so unfamiliar to city life, as Lyon was, feels.
"Every day is not a good day, so yeah, I can understand what he's going through," Cronin said.
"At the end of the day, no-one can make you like Sydney, can they?"
When asked if he'd like to see Lyon return to the field, Cronin said that it wasn't his call to make.
"Well, you'd like to see him doing what he is happiest doing," Cronin said.
"I think he's a great player, one we're yet to see the best of.
"You've got to go with whatever decision he makes."
