Eels call for Lyon to return
By Adrian Proszenko
April 13, 2006
THE chances of Jamie Lyon returning to Parramatta increased today after Nathan Hindmarsh led a chorus of senior Eels players calling for his return to the NRL club.
Lyon made contact with Parramatta football manager Tony Zappia about a possible homecoming, although Eels officials have been reticent to begin negotiations in earnest until they gauge the mood of senior players.
The former Kangaroo centre walked out on Parramatta after the opening round of 2004 citing burnout and difficulty in adjusting to the Sydney lifestyle, returning to his hometown to play for NSW country side Wee Waa before moving on to England.
But after watching him take his game to a new level as a five-eighth with St Helens, Eels officials are considering bringing him back to partner Tim Smith in the halves from next season.
While the players were upset at Lyon's decision to walk out on the club, Hindmarsh said all was forgiven and declared: "I hope he does come back."
"If he does come back there's no hard feelings or anything like that," Hindmarsh said today.
"I never had any when he left in the first place, it was his choice, I just thought he could have handled it a bit better than he did.
"It would have been tough for him.
"We've heard little rumours about the club talking to him, but we've got enough to worry about getting our season back on track."
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Hindmarsh, who had previously stated Lyon would struggle to get a start ahead of Eels centres Ben Smith and Timana Tahu, said the prospect of him playing at pivot was an exciting one.
"I haven't seen Killer play much at five-eighth, I'm pretty sure he'd talk himself up," he said.
"He'd probably want to take over the goalkicking duties and the kicking in general play.
"I'm sure if he does play he'd add something to the team."
Hindmarsh's thoughts were echoed by other senior teammates Nathan Cayless and Dean Widders, who said there was no "bad blood" despite his controversial departure.
"For sure, he's a world class player," Cayless said when asked if he'd welcome Lyon's return.
"Myself and Hindy have spoken about it, as have a couple of the other boys in the team.
"He'd be pretty handy."
Widders added: "He had his reasons for doing what he had to do, it really doesn't worry me."
Still contracted to the Eels until the end of this season, Lyon is not allowed to negotiate with other NRL clubs until the anti-tampering deadline expires on June 30, giving it the inside running on his signature.
Eels chief executive Denis Fitzgerald said he planned to speak to the players about the issue next week.
"I haven't spoken to Jamie, I've got to look at a number of considerations before we decide whether we will or will not make any offer to Jamie," he said.
The biggest loser should Lyon return would be incumbent No.6 John Morris, who is off contract at the end of the season.
"If they want him to come back and play five-eighth, that's their decision," Morris said.
"There's speculation they're in deep talks with him but I don't really know where it's at.
"As it gets closer I'd certainly like to communicate with them."
Morris has been linked with a possible move back to Newcastle along with coach Brian Smith at season's end, but indicated his preference was to stay at the Eels.
"I hope they keep this side together and don't change it too much," he said.
"For me, staying at Parramatta is number one."
Meanwhile, St George Illawarra coach Nathan Brown is reportedly set to contact Channel Nine boss Eddie Maguire to ask for assistance in keeping star centre Mark Gasnier at the club.
Brown is hoping the network which helped prevent Andrew Johns from defecting to rugby union can assist in the retention of Gasnier.
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