Hunt on for Lyon
JASON AVEDISSIAN
01jul06
MANLY will this weekend put the finishing touches on a massive offer to lure the NRL's most sought after player, Jamie Lyon.
Lyon became a free agent at midnight last night when the anti-tampering deadline expired.
It is believed the Sea Eagles would need up to $1.8 million over four years to secure the former NSW and Australian back.
Lyon's manager George Mimis told The Manly Daily last night his client is close to making a decision on his future, with an announcement imminent within days.
The two other serious contenders for the St Helens back are Penrith and Newcastle.
``They (Manly) are in a strong position,'' Mimis said yesterday.
``I think the kid is looking to resurrect his representative career and the quality of the roster is really critical.''
Lyon's close relationship with Manly recruitment manager Noel Cleal will also work in the Sea Eagles favour.
The 24-year-old will play for St Helens tomorrow night with a decision likely 48 hours after that match against Wakefield Trinity.
``I'm anticipating that come (today) there will be a number of written offers from the various protagonists,'' Mimis said.
``At which point I'll discuss with Jamie the options. I'd expect a decision will be made within a week, maybe sooner.''
Interim Manly CEO Paul Cummings and the club's recruitment team will sit down over the weekend to work out their plan to get Lyon.
The former Parramatta centre has always been Manly's number one target since he walked out on the Eels.
Cummings also confirmed the Sea Eagles would be in the market from today for another high-profile forward after missing out on Dragons young gun Ben Creagh who re-signed with St George-Illawarra yesterday.
``We've got to sit down and think through our strategy,'' Cummings said.
``We'll be aggressive for a couple of players.
``Two (high-profile) players per year is what we usually try to sign.
``But until players make up their minds, there's not much we can do.
``It's like a chess game at the moment.
``There's stuff going on everywhere.''
In other player movement news big prop Mark Bryant has received a two-year offer from Manly which his manager Jim Banaghan has knocked back.
``It's unsatisfactory and we'll be going on the open market,'' Banaghan said.
Bryant has received interest from two other clubs.
Negotiations are also still on-going and positive with five-eighth Travis Burns. The club is hopeful of securing the young pivot, while utility back Paul Stephenson is also on the open market.
* The NRL and the Rugby League Professionals Association yesterday agreed on a rise in the salary cap to $4 million from 2007 following a four-year Collective Bargaining Agreement.
``It (the agreement) is one that ensures players share in the game's success,'' NRL boss David Gallop said.
