I'll play for Eels again: Lyon
By Peter Badel
November 6, 2005
FORMER Parramatta sensation Jamie Lyon has revealed his desire to return to the club, admitting he regrets the pain he caused the Eels with his shock departure.
Missing his mates: Former Eels star Jamie Lyon"If Parramatta will have me back, I'd love to play for them again," Lyon told
The Sunday Telegraph.
"I must admit I miss playing with blokes like Nathan Hindmarsh and Nathan Cayless."
The revelation will send shockwaves through the Parramatta club, which was plunged into crisis in the wake of Lyon's dramatic exit last year.
A homesick Lyon, who is playing in England, also said he plans to return to the NRL in 2007 and reclaim his NSW and Test jumpers. Only a huge offer from current club St Helens would stop him returning.
The former Test centre has been a revelation in England, winning the player of the year award after scoring 24 tries to pilot Saints to the minor premiership.
But the 23-year-old admits he craves a second chance at Parramatta and was shattered by the Eels' shock 29-0 loss to North Queensland in this year's grand final qualifier.
"Looking back, I regret the way I walked out. In one way, I don't regret going home to play with my mates at Wee Waa because I was sick of Sydney and the pressures of NRL football," said Lyon, who is holidaying in Ballina with his partner Kelly.
"But I do feel bad about how it ended at Parramatta. They were the club that made me Brian Smith got me to where I was.
"I watched that final (against the Cowboys) and was shattered. I really felt for all the guys and Brian, who deserves to win a premiership. I don't know how some of the Parra people would feel about me saying this. They are entitled to be dirty with me, but if Brian would be OK with it, I'd definitely think about going back to Parra."
Despite the bitter fallout, Lyon still holds an official contract with Parramatta, which expires at the end of next season.
Under a deed of understanding, Lyon must seek the Eels' permission to play elsewhere, as he did before joining St Helens.
When Lyon quit, it is understood his main grievance was with Smith and he allegedly sent chief executive Denis Fitzgerald a letter outlining his concerns. But Lyon denied a fallout with Smith led to his departure.
"This talk about me and Smitty not getting on is garbage," he said.
"We've kept in contact, we've texted each other a few times recently and Brian wished me well when I went to England.
"I'd have no problem playing under Brian again. He's the best coach I've had."
Parramatta general manager Greg Mitchell said it was too premature to say whether Lyon would be welcomed back.
"The salary cap is one hurdle. We never budgeted on Jamie returning," Mitchell said.
"It would be up to Brian (Smith) and the coaching staff. Jamie is an outstanding player, but we do have good centres in Timana Tahu and Ben Smith.
"I can't speak for everyone here, but we'd also have to consider the circumstances behind Jamie leaving the club."
The Sunday Telegraph
