By Greg Prichard
April 13, 2006
RUNAWAY star Jamie Lyon has told Parramatta he is serious about returning to the club next year and the Eels will offer him a contract before the end of this month with a view to making him their new five-eighth.
After making contact with Parramatta last month, Lyon, formerly a centre but starring at No.6 for English club St Helens, was told by the Eels to carefully think his future through before contacting the club again.
Parramatta were certainly interested in the idea of picking up Lyon again but had no intention of getting into an auction with other clubs for his signature.
Sources told the Herald last night that Lyon had made contact with the Eels again late last week to say he was genuine about playing for the club again and that he would like to begin contract talks as soon as possible.
Eels officials asked their senior players if they would have any problem with Lyon's return to the club. The players said they had no objections.
The Eels are confident they have the inside running on signing Lyon - particularly since no other club can legally talk to him until after the NRL's anti-tampering deadline passes on June 30.
Parramatta originally had Lyon contracted until the end of this season and at no stage since he suddenly walked out on the club after the opening round of the 2004 season have they been prepared to give up control over his playing movements.
Lyon had to get permission from the Eels to play for his home-town club of Wee Waa, in north-western NSW, for the bulk of the 2004 season and then again to join St Helens on a two-year deal for 2005-06.
Lyon was a NSW and Australia star when he quit Parramatta at just 22, saying he was fed up with city life. He had been linked to Manly, where his mentor, Noel Cleal, had gone to be recruitment officer after previously filling that role at Parramatta, but going there or to any other NRL club at the time wasn't possible because the Eels refused to grant him a release.
Eventually, the financial reality of having to do without a $250,000-a-year contract led Lyon to go back to the game in England. Parramatta allowed him to go there, but he remained under their jurisdiction.
Parramatta's determination on that front has put them in the box seat to get him back.
Michael Hagan, the Newcastle coach who will take over from Brian Smith as Parramatta coach at the end of the season, has, on behalf of the Eels, been one of the key figures involved in discussions with Lyon.
The Herald understands Parramatta are likely to offer Lyon $250,000-$300,000 a season to sign with the club again.
Lyon was probably the best centre in the world when he quit the Eels but has made a big impression as a five-eighth in England and considering the balance of the playing roster at Parramatta he is seen as fitting the role there as well.
Ben Smith is an excellent young centre for the Eels and representative star Timana Tahu is also playing in the centres. John Morris is the first-choice five-eighth, but he doesn't have a stranglehold on the spot.
Morris is off contract at the end of the season and it remains to be seen what the future holds for him and a number of other Eels players who are in the final year of their deals.
They include Luke Burt, Dean Widders, Adam Peek, Henry Perenara, Wade McKinnon, Fuifui Moimoi, Paul Stringer and Aaron Cannings. Matt Petersen has signed with Gold Coast for next year and Ashley Graham was traded to North Queensland this month. Parramatta, with so many players coming off contract, have the capacity to make room for a high-profile, expensive player such as Lyon.
