It seems like the Tele is trying to play it all down now, using comments supporting Lyon. Even Hornby knows what the go is, so the Tele didn't get the blood they were after yesterday. Great job Phil Rothfield, you are the true disgrace.
I won't be playing this weekend: Jamie Lyon
By Dean Ritchie | July 10, 2009 12:00am
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AFTER a day of controversy, Manly centre Jamie Lyon has said he won't be playing in Sunday's big match against St George Illawarra at WIN Stadium.
Although Sea Eagles medical staff will give Lyon until the day of the game to overcome the ankle injury that ruled him out of Origin III, he is unlikely to take the field.
Lyon sent a text to The Daily Telegraph yesterday saying: "I'm not playing."
The possibility of Lyon playing for Manly - after being ruled out of Wednesday night's State of Origin match in Brisbane - drew a huge reaction on the The Daily Telegraph website yesterday.
Opinion was divided despite the NSWRL claiming Lyon was free to play this weekend after being ruled out by the NSW doctor.
"Nothing has changed - the Manly medical staff will make the final decision," Manly coach Des Hasler said.
Dragons and former NSW centre Matt Cooper was ruled out of the Country side for the game against City in Orange on May 8 but played for his club against North Queensland a day after the rep match.
The Daily Telegraph bloggers were divided on the Lyon issue, with our exclusive poll showing a 51 per cent to 49 per cent split in favour of readers who believe Lyon should not be allowed to play.
"Doctors sent him home, right? It's not like Lyon made the decision. NSW obviously wanted him fit by a certain time . . . but Manly are willing to give him until game day. What's the bloody problem here? Why should the NRL stop him from playing when it was the NSW team that sent him home?" said one fan.
Chuck Norris added: "He was ruled out by NSW doctors on Tuesday, and he could recover quicker than anticipated and then be given the go-ahead to play the Dragons, so what is your problem? I doubt a player would feign injury to miss rep footy."
Another wrote: "Jamie Lyon is committed to playing for Manly. Playing (State of Origin) is an honour. If he does not want it that is his choice, no one else's."
However, St George Illawarra claim to be unconcerned at the possibility that Lyon may play on Sunday - three days before final Origin match at Suncorp Stadium.
"They say in Origin they want fit blokes and if they can't train there's no point having them there," Dragons captain Ben Hornby said.
"That's probably the case with Jamie. He probably could have played but he wouldn't be able to train, and that's not ideal.
"That's a boost for (Manly), but that's not something we've got to worry about too much. We've just got to go out and compete and play well."