Sterling backflips over Lyon
Andrew Webster and Jamie Pandaram | May 9, 2007
AFTER declaring he did not want Jamie Lyon playing in the NRL, Parramatta legend Peter Sterling has asserted the Manly centre should be one of the first selected for NSW.
Last October, at a charity golf tournament organised by Pat Rafter, Sterling told about 80 guests: "I'm filthy on Jamie Lyon. Jamie Lyon dudded Parramatta like you wouldn't believe
No, I don't want him in the Test side and I don't want him back in the NRL."
Sterling was furious that Lyon walked out on Parramatta after playing one match in 2004.
The 25-year-old will face his former side for the first time when he steps out for Manly at Brookvale Oval on Friday night.
But last night Sterling told the Herald: "Despite some comments I had after half-a-dozen Crown Lagers in what I thought was a closed room, I'm happy to have him in the NRL.
"I'm happy to have him playing for NSW and Australia because he's always been a talent."
At the time, Lyon responded to Sterling's remarks by saying he "never looked up to" the former NSW and Australian halfback.
But in an interview with the Herald in November, he said: "My teammates were the biggest thing I let down. I didn't realise it at the start but after being away for a while and getting
a bit more mature, you realise these things."
Sterling said he appreciated Lyon's admission.
"For the Parramatta club, I am happy to see him say that if he was in the same situation again, and a little bit wiser, he would have handled things differently," he said. "It's water under the bridge now.
"The one thing I do want to say is that I didn't death-ride the kid. I never wanted to see him fail.
"I am happy that he is playing in the competition. I would prefer to see him playing in a Parramatta jersey, but I'm glad he's in an NRL jersey."
Sterling also backed Lyon to be picked in the centres for NSW for the State of Origin series against Queensland starting on May 23. He has been touted as a possible solution to the Blues' lack of depth at five-eighth.
"A month ago, I thought there would be a huge chance that he would play in the No.6," he said. "But personally I think [Roosters pivot] Braith Anasta has done enough. But Jamie gives them a bit of flexibility."
Eels stars Nathan Cayless and Nathan Hindmarsh, among just four surviving teammates from Lyon's last season at the club, said yesterday they held no hard feelings against the Test centre.
"You can't really hold grudges - you grow up bitter and old and it's not a very good way to live," Cayless said.
"I was pretty confused as to why he left, I wasn't angry. Being the captain of the team you want to make sure that your players are happy and that all of your players want to play together."
Hindmarsh said his only disappointment was that Lyon had never given the Parramatta players a reason for walking out.
"That thing with 'Killer' happened years and years ago and I was over that after about two days," Hindmarsh said. "I couldn't care less that he up and left. I've got my own backyard to worry about
We just want to win."
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/sterling-backflips-over-lyon/2007/05/08/1178390309866.html
