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Manly lament Lyon loss
By Dean Ritchie
August 19, 2004.
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MANLY last night described Jamie Lyon's decision to quit the NRL as "sad" but the comment prompted Parramatta to fire back by declaring: "Don't blame us."
Lyon, 23, said last night he would leave Australia to sign a two-year deal with English Super League club St Helens.
It is understood St Helens paid the Eels a $150,000 release fee and about $300,000 a season. Lyon still had two years remaining on his Parramatta contract.
Eels officials refused to allow Manly to negotiate with Lyon.
"We wanted the opportunity to bid for Jamie but that's not the way Parramatta wanted it," said Sea Eagles chief executive Paul Cummings.
"I find the whole thing a bit confusing. Everyone knows Jamie was close to [Manly recruitment officer] Noel Cleal. Jamie was said to be looking at a rural area to live but he might not find that in St Helens.
"It's gone from the extreme to the ridiculous. I don't understand all the rigmarole.
"I don't blame Denis [Fitzgerald] for wanting Jamie to serve his contract but it is sad we have lost him from the NRL."
But Fitzgerald said his club was refusing to be blamed for having Lyon defect to England.
"Don't be blaming us - blame Jamie Lyon," Fitzgerald said. "He made the decision not to honour his contractual commitments with us."
Cummings said Manly had now elected against pursuing Lyon.
"At the end of the day we have dropped off," Cummings said. "The NRL is supporting the sanctity of the contract. We have some legal advice but it may be a waste of time."
Lyon said he was drawn to St Helen due to the club's professionalism.
"I am raring to play for the Saints, particularly as I will be linking up with Darren Albert, the quickest winger in the British game," Lyon said on the St Helens website.
"St Helens impressed me with their clear ambition to remain a leading world rugby force and they stood out from all the clubs which showed interest in me, even in Australia."
St Helens coach Ian Millward was delighted with Lyon's signing.
"This is the biggest signing for St Helens since Mal Meninga," Millward said.
"Jamie is already a world- class strike centre and can only improve.
"This is a huge boost for the club and a clear sign of its intentions to remain the most successful rugby league club in Britain."
By Dean Ritchie
August 19, 2004.
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MANLY last night described Jamie Lyon's decision to quit the NRL as "sad" but the comment prompted Parramatta to fire back by declaring: "Don't blame us."
Lyon, 23, said last night he would leave Australia to sign a two-year deal with English Super League club St Helens.
It is understood St Helens paid the Eels a $150,000 release fee and about $300,000 a season. Lyon still had two years remaining on his Parramatta contract.
Eels officials refused to allow Manly to negotiate with Lyon.
"We wanted the opportunity to bid for Jamie but that's not the way Parramatta wanted it," said Sea Eagles chief executive Paul Cummings.
"I find the whole thing a bit confusing. Everyone knows Jamie was close to [Manly recruitment officer] Noel Cleal. Jamie was said to be looking at a rural area to live but he might not find that in St Helens.
"It's gone from the extreme to the ridiculous. I don't understand all the rigmarole.
"I don't blame Denis [Fitzgerald] for wanting Jamie to serve his contract but it is sad we have lost him from the NRL."
But Fitzgerald said his club was refusing to be blamed for having Lyon defect to England.
"Don't be blaming us - blame Jamie Lyon," Fitzgerald said. "He made the decision not to honour his contractual commitments with us."
Cummings said Manly had now elected against pursuing Lyon.
"At the end of the day we have dropped off," Cummings said. "The NRL is supporting the sanctity of the contract. We have some legal advice but it may be a waste of time."
Lyon said he was drawn to St Helen due to the club's professionalism.
"I am raring to play for the Saints, particularly as I will be linking up with Darren Albert, the quickest winger in the British game," Lyon said on the St Helens website.
"St Helens impressed me with their clear ambition to remain a leading world rugby force and they stood out from all the clubs which showed interest in me, even in Australia."
St Helens coach Ian Millward was delighted with Lyon's signing.
"This is the biggest signing for St Helens since Mal Meninga," Millward said.
"Jamie is already a world- class strike centre and can only improve.
"This is a huge boost for the club and a clear sign of its intentions to remain the most successful rugby league club in Britain."
