Jamie Lyon

] [cite news|title=Lyon to quit St Helens for Manly|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/super_league/st_helens/4847270.stm|work=BBC News|date=2006-07-05|accessdate=2007-08-23] The determining factor was Noel Cleal, the club's recruitment officer.

After a great pre-season, [cite news|title=Punishing pre-season has me in career-best shape, says Lyon|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/punishing-preseason-has-me-in-careerbest-shape-says-lyon/2007/02/16/1171405444509.html|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=2007-02-17|accessdate=2007-08-23] he made his debut for Manly on 17 March 2007 against the Canberra Raiders where he a scored two tries and kicked three goals. [cite news|first=Barry|last=Toohey|title=Lyon stars in Eagles debut|url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21400453-5001023,00.html|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=2007-03-18|accessdate=2007-08-23] Initially playing in the centres, the return of Steve Matai saw Lyon move into the five-eighth role. Round 9 saw Manly at home to Parramatta and the first time Lyon played against old club, however Parramatta played down the significance. [cite news|title=Eels well over Lyon's 2004 NRL walkout|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/Eels-well-over-Lyons-2004-NRL-walkout/2007/05/08/1178390298647.html|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=2007-05-08|accessdate=2007-08-23] Lyon showed no mercy as he scored early in second half to help steer Manly to victory. [cite news|first=Steve|last=Mascord|title=Lyon returns to haunt Eels|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21716058-23214,00.html|work=The Australian|date=2007-05-12|accessdate=2007-08-23]

In July 2007, Lyon was voted by "Rugby League Week"'s readers as the most overrated player in the NRL. Lyon polled the highest ever percentage (38%), ahead of Rooster Nate Myles and the Dragons' Jason Ryles. [cite news|title=Lyon voted 'most over-rated'in players' poll|url=http://sports.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=277834|publisher=ninemsn|date=2007-07-10|accessdate=2007-08-23]

He played in the 2008 NRL Grand Final victory over the Melbourne Storm.cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24449388-23214,00.html|title=Grand final: As it happened|publisher=Fox Sports|date=2008-10-05|accessdate=2008-10-05]

Representative career

On 7 October 2001, Lyon became the 697th player to represent Australia [cite web|title=All time Australian Kangaroos player list|url=http://www.rugbyleague.com.au/arl/kangaroos/register.php|publisher=Australian Rugby League|accessdate=2007-08-23] when he made his national representative debut in the test match at Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby against Papua New Guinea where scored two tries off the bench. Later that year, he became the youngest-ever Kangaroo tourist when he was selected for the 2001 Kangaroo Tour. [cite news|first=David|last=Lawrenson|title=Lyon skips from pulling pints to being a Kangaroo|url=http://sport.guardian.co.uk/rugbyleague/story/0,,1890423,00.html|work=The Observer|date=2006-10-08|accessdate=2007-08-23] He made his State of Origin debut in Game I of the 2002 series scoring a try in 32-4 points victory. He played again in Game II of the series however the ankle injury that he sustained in round 14 saw him unavailable for Game III. The following year, he played in all three games for the Blues in their 2-1 series victory.

On 2 October 2006, the squad for the 2006 Tri-Nations tournament was announced with Lyon being a surprise inclusion. [cite news|title=Lyon in Tri-Nations squad|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/australian-squad-for-tri-nations/2006/10/02/1159641244914.html|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=2006-10-02|accessdate=2007-08-23] [cite news|first=Brad|last=Walter|title=Shock recall brings Lyon in from cold|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2006/10/02/1159641265945.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=2006-10-03|accessdate=2007-08-23] In reaction to his selection, Parramatta legend Peter Sterling had at the time criticised Lyon saying that he should not even be allowed in the NRL claiming that Lyon took $125, 000 for playing only a handful of games in 2004 and considering Lyon as "lacking class". [cite news|first=Will|last=Swanton|title=I wouldn't have him in NRL, let alone Test side|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/i-wouldnt-have-lyons-in-nrl-sterlo/2006/10/07/1159641575815.html|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=2006-10-08|accessdate=2007-08-23] Lyon retorted that he did "not look up to Sterlo" and that the comments "would not worry" him. [cite news|title=Lyon brushes off Sterling's blast|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/Lyon-brushes-off-Sterlings-blast/2006/10/12/1160246264956.html|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=2006-10-12|accessdate=2007-08-23] Lyon played in only one match during the series, Australia's first match against Great Britain [cite news|first=Brad|last=Walter|title=Making up is hard for Lyon|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/making-up-is-hard-for-lyon/2006/11/03/1162340054340.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|date=2006-11-04|accessdate=2007-08-23] where Australia went down 23-12. Australia ended up winning the series defeating New Zealand in the final.

Since Lyon's return to the NRL has played in the 2007 ANZAC Test against New Zealand and Games I and II of the 2007 State of Origin series.

References

Persondata
NAME=Lyon, Jamie
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Australian rugby league player
DATE OF BIRTH=24 January 1982
PLACE OF BIRTH=Narrabri, New South Wales, Australia
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=