Rep days may be over as Lyon avoids a Country run
Adrian Proszenko
May 1, 2011
JAMIE LYON'S representative career appears over after he asked to be overlooked for City-Country duty.
Lyon has been struggling to overcome niggling injuries and has, through an intermediary, put in an unofficial request to be exempt from the Country side. It's believed that the Manly centre no longer wants to make himself available for NSW selection either, although he hasn't followed the official protocols required to step down.
The former Kangaroo has previously vacillated over playing representative football and created headlines when he declared he didn't want to play for the Blues in 2008.
''The CRL was approached through Laurie Daley about not being considered,'' Country Rugby League chairman Jock Colley said.
''From our perspective, he has given excellent service and we'd grant his wish. Of course, it would have to be officially sanctioned by [NSWRL boss] Geoff Carr, but I've got no problem with it.
''A couple of years ago when we played at Orange, the media bashed him up because he supposedly didn't want to play, but it was just the opposite. He came, he captained the side and he led by example.
''Even though it's a bit late to apply for dispensation, we don't have a problem.''
However, Carr said that selectors had every right to consider Lyon.
''We've received nothing officially and there are rules about standing down from rep footy,'' he said. ''Jamie had to have an application in four weeks before the first rep game.
''The rules are pretty clear
he hasn't made any application and I haven't spoken to him.''
Country selectors are already making contingency plans, with Josh Morris and Blake Ferguson pencilled in as a potential centre pairing. The development means NSW coach Ricky Stuart will have to scratch at least one contender from his list for three-quarter spots.
Jamie Soward may miss an opportunity to impress Stuart after suffering an ankle problem at training during the week. A contender for the contentious Blues pivot role in the absence of Todd Carney, Soward trained with the team yesterday but is in some doubt for St George Illawarra's clash with Parramatta today.
One player likely to make an unexpected return to representative football is Chris Houston. The Newcastle forward was on the cusp of NSW selection in 2009 but his career was put on hold following drug supply charges. He was subsequently cleared and is in the running for a Country bench spot.
No team will be more affected by the representative schedule than Melbourne, with half a dozen players certain to be named for fixtures next weekend. However, no player will be more greatly affected than Beau Champion should he force his way into a City jersey. To back up from the match at Lavington Sports Ground in Albury, Champion could face a 1543-kilometre trek - including two flights - in 24 hours.
''It's going to be very hard for us to plan for the Broncos game,'' Storm football manager Frank Ponissi said. ''We normally have 48 hours to travel and prepare, so this is a bit of uncharted territory for us.''
