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Lyon poised to roam free as a Panther at foot of mountains
Amy Lawson
June 18, 2006
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PENRITH have emerged as frontrunners to sign former Parramatta centre Jamie Lyon after the international knocked back a lucrative deal to return to the struggling Eels next season.
Lyon was expected to play in the blue and gold again next year despite walking out on Parramatta in 2004 to return to his home town Wee Waa.
But the 24-year-old, who is playing with English Super League club St Helens, threw a spanner in the works when he told Parramatta last week he wanted to wait until the June 30 deadline passed before deciding his future.
Manly and the Gold Coast were also believed to be interested in Lyon, but the Panthers have now firmed as hot favourites, even though officials were yesterday tight-lipped on the subject.
Panthers general manager Michael Leary said the club was not negotiating with anyone at this stage, but admitted Lyon would be a player of interest if he became available.
"We're in the market for any high-profile player after June 30," he said.
"If he has [accepted an offer], Penrith will be in breach of the anti-tampering deadline," Fitzgerald said.
The Bulldogs have given Asotasi until next Sunday to negotiate with other clubs. Asotasi's manager Mark Rowan met with Souths and the Roosters last week and has set up meetings with several other interested clubs this week. He denied there were offers on the table.
Rowan said he had also been in contact with St Helens, but added Asotasi wanted to explore his NRL options before considering a move overseas.
"We've got two weeks to have a chat to other clubs and assess what each club can offer him as far as football goes, not so much money, but that will come into it later," Rowan said.
"There's no offers on the table, not even from Canterbury. But we'll go back to them at the end of the month."
Amy Lawson
June 18, 2006
AdvertisementAdvertisement
PENRITH have emerged as frontrunners to sign former Parramatta centre Jamie Lyon after the international knocked back a lucrative deal to return to the struggling Eels next season.
Lyon was expected to play in the blue and gold again next year despite walking out on Parramatta in 2004 to return to his home town Wee Waa.
But the 24-year-old, who is playing with English Super League club St Helens, threw a spanner in the works when he told Parramatta last week he wanted to wait until the June 30 deadline passed before deciding his future.
Manly and the Gold Coast were also believed to be interested in Lyon, but the Panthers have now firmed as hot favourites, even though officials were yesterday tight-lipped on the subject.
Panthers general manager Michael Leary said the club was not negotiating with anyone at this stage, but admitted Lyon would be a player of interest if he became available.
"We're in the market for any high-profile player after June 30," he said.
Fitzgerald said he was unaware of any other offers to Lyon and warned other clubs to stay away until after June 30.
"If he has [accepted an offer], Penrith will be in breach of the anti-tampering deadline," Fitzgerald said.
St Helens are rumoured to be willing to pay up to
a season to snare Asotasi, while
for the 24-year-old.
The Bulldogs have given Asotasi until next Sunday to negotiate with other clubs. Asotasi's manager Mark Rowan met with Souths and the Roosters last week and has set up meetings with several other interested clubs this week. He denied there were offers on the table.
Rowan said he had also been in contact with St Helens, but added Asotasi wanted to explore his NRL options before considering a move overseas.
"We've got two weeks to have a chat to other clubs and assess what each club can offer him as far as football goes, not so much money, but that will come into it later," Rowan said.
"There's no offers on the table, not even from Canterbury. But we'll go back to them at the end of the month."
