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Lyon in limbo as Raiders debate move
By Steve Mascord
August 5, 2004
Errant Australian Test centre Jamie Lyon was yesterday offered to the Canberra Raiders.
After giving permission for Lyon to speak to Penrith, only for the Panthers to turn him down, Parramatta chief executive Denis Fitzgerald said last night the Eels would consider any approach from a club outside Sydney.
And Raiders chief executive Simon Hawkins confirmed Lyon's uncle, Mick Smith, had called to see if they would be interested.
"If living in the country is what he's keen on doing, Canberra's a fairly logical spot for him to be," Hawkins said.
"[But] we've got a bit of a salary cap issue for next year so it would be fairly difficult for us to do something ... we really haven't gone very far with it but we'd be happy to look at the possibilities that might arise."
Fitzgerald had allowed Smith to negotiate with Penrith on behalf of Lyon, while denying Manly the same opportunity.
Asked under what circumstances he would allow Lyon to talk to another club, Fitzgerald said: "Based on what he said about the reason for leaving us, I'd find it very difficult for him to go to another Sydney club."
Lyon told the Eels he didn't like city life and they were willing to let him negotiate with Penrith because of the "semi-rural" nature of the area.
Hawkins admitted: "I don't know what the real story is with Jamie, whether he is available to other clubs at all."
It is thought Wests Tigers and St George Illawarra would be acceptable to Parramatta if Lyon was going to live in Campbelltown or Wollongong.
Asked what he would do if Lyon suggested living somewhere like Wollongong, Fitzgerald said: "I'd at least listen to what Jamie had to say."
But he added at this stage that "we're not looking for anyone or considering anyone" to sign Lyon.
Newcastle chief executive Ken Conway said the Knights could not fit Lyon under their salary cap.
Manly were angered by Fitzgerald's decision to prevent them from talking to Lyon. Sea Eagles CEO Paul Cummings said yesterday he had spoken to NRL chief executive David Gallop about it. He said the club would not take legal action but stressed Manly could afford Lyon without breaching their salary cap.
Gallop said: "Because Jamie Lyon is under contract to Parramatta, they can impose any restrictions they wish on him playing. It is important for players and clubs to respect the sanctity of contracts."
Lyon's agent, Alan Gainey, said he was unconcerned that Smith was acting on his client's behalf.
"Jamie has instructed him to do something," Gainey said. "I'm still there but he's been doing that so you'll have to talk to his uncle. I think [Jamie's] got to get his head around things."
In other news, it is expected Wests Tigers will be given a reduction in their $15,000 fine for abuse of officials and boycotting a media conference at Canberra Stadium on July 3.
The club appealed against the fine and should learn their fate by the end of the week.
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I wonder if anyone at the club is even contemplating having Jamie Lyon on board. God I hope so, there seems there may be an opportunity here.
By Steve Mascord
August 5, 2004
Errant Australian Test centre Jamie Lyon was yesterday offered to the Canberra Raiders.
After giving permission for Lyon to speak to Penrith, only for the Panthers to turn him down, Parramatta chief executive Denis Fitzgerald said last night the Eels would consider any approach from a club outside Sydney.
And Raiders chief executive Simon Hawkins confirmed Lyon's uncle, Mick Smith, had called to see if they would be interested.
"If living in the country is what he's keen on doing, Canberra's a fairly logical spot for him to be," Hawkins said.
"[But] we've got a bit of a salary cap issue for next year so it would be fairly difficult for us to do something ... we really haven't gone very far with it but we'd be happy to look at the possibilities that might arise."
Fitzgerald had allowed Smith to negotiate with Penrith on behalf of Lyon, while denying Manly the same opportunity.
Asked under what circumstances he would allow Lyon to talk to another club, Fitzgerald said: "Based on what he said about the reason for leaving us, I'd find it very difficult for him to go to another Sydney club."
Lyon told the Eels he didn't like city life and they were willing to let him negotiate with Penrith because of the "semi-rural" nature of the area.
Hawkins admitted: "I don't know what the real story is with Jamie, whether he is available to other clubs at all."
It is thought Wests Tigers and St George Illawarra would be acceptable to Parramatta if Lyon was going to live in Campbelltown or Wollongong.
Asked what he would do if Lyon suggested living somewhere like Wollongong, Fitzgerald said: "I'd at least listen to what Jamie had to say."
But he added at this stage that "we're not looking for anyone or considering anyone" to sign Lyon.
Newcastle chief executive Ken Conway said the Knights could not fit Lyon under their salary cap.
Manly were angered by Fitzgerald's decision to prevent them from talking to Lyon. Sea Eagles CEO Paul Cummings said yesterday he had spoken to NRL chief executive David Gallop about it. He said the club would not take legal action but stressed Manly could afford Lyon without breaching their salary cap.
Gallop said: "Because Jamie Lyon is under contract to Parramatta, they can impose any restrictions they wish on him playing. It is important for players and clubs to respect the sanctity of contracts."
Lyon's agent, Alan Gainey, said he was unconcerned that Smith was acting on his client's behalf.
"Jamie has instructed him to do something," Gainey said. "I'm still there but he's been doing that so you'll have to talk to his uncle. I think [Jamie's] got to get his head around things."
In other news, it is expected Wests Tigers will be given a reduction in their $15,000 fine for abuse of officials and boycotting a media conference at Canberra Stadium on July 3.
The club appealed against the fine and should learn their fate by the end of the week.
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I wonder if anyone at the club is even contemplating having Jamie Lyon on board. God I hope so, there seems there may be an opportunity here.
