NRL
Lyon no go zone
By DEAN RITCHIE Rugby League Writer
August 5, 2004
THE NRL last night stated that Manly had no legal right to pursue wayward centre Jamie Lyon, should he be released by Parramatta.
The Daily Telegraph yesterday revealed Parramatta would consider releasing Lyon to Penrith but not Manly, who were also interested in the former Test centre.
Penrith yesterday admitted they had received an approach through Lyon's uncle and former Penrith player Mike Smith but then claimed the club could not afford Lyon under its salary cap.
Sea Eagles executive director Paul Cummings yesterday contacted NRL chief executive David Gallop to ask how Lyon legally could be released to one club and not be available to other clubs.
Privately, Manly believe this could constitute a restraint of trade.
"Basically, we believe it is Parramatta's right to impose conditions on Jamie's playing future while he is under contract at Parramatta," Gallop told The Daily Telegraph.
"It's important that the sanctity of contracts is observed.
"Strictly speaking, if Parramatta want to sit Jamie in a corner or have him play with them, then they would be entitled to.
"Clearly when Jamie's contract expires, he'll be free to move."
But Cummings questioned Gallop's comments.
"I did phone David this morning for him to advise me on his thoughts," Cummings said.
"I understand what they [NRL] are saying but in real terms I don't know whether their interpretation is correct.
"But those are the rules he [Gallop] has stipulated so, so be it.
"We weren't planning on making any offer [to Jamie] but we were asking for the rights of clubs going forward."
Fitzgerald said he was negotiating only with Smith and Penrith.
"We agree with David Gallop he was a leading legal authority before taking on his role at the NRL," Fitzgerald said.
"Our deliberations involve not only what is best for Parramatta but we are also keeping in mind Jamie's future in rugby league."
The Panthers yesterday released a media statement with acting chief executive Michael Leary saying: "Jamie is an Australian representative player and we could not afford him under the salary cap.
"If we had that kind of money available under the cap we would have been able to retain players of the calibre of Amos Roberts and Paul Whatuira."
Fitzgerald said Smith was behind the move to shift the player to Penrith.
"We were happy enough to let him speak with them . . . [after] his uncle came along and saw us about Jamie coming back to the NRL," Fitzgerald said.
"His uncle is a former Penrith player and lives out there so he thought Penrith would be the ideal club.
"And we had no objection then to him sounding out Penrith, to see if they were in a position to bid for Jamie which also would include a release fee to us."
