Jamie Lyon’s NRL career all but over; Brett Stewart, Steve Matai could follow for Manly
Dean Ritchie - The Daily Telegraph
THERE was just five minutes remaining in Manly’s captain’s run at Brookvale Oval last Friday morning when he felt it pop.
A seemingly innocuous hamstring injury looks certain to end Jamie Lyon’s stellar NRL career.
The 34-year-old, who will retire at season’s end, will front the Sydney media this morning to confirm he won’t be fit to play in his final game at Brookvale Oval on Saturday afternoon against Canberra.
The Daily Telegraph understands the injury will likely keep Lyon out of Manly’s final-round game against Penrith at Pepper Stadium.
And it just may have a domino effect with doubts continuing over the playing futures of star veterans Brett Stewart (knee) and Steve Matai (neck).
If Stewart and Matai were to follow Lyon out of Brookvale, it would snap the last remaining links to Manly’s powerful era under former coach Des Hasler.
Although the pair each have a year remaining on their existing contracts and want to continue playing in 2017, both will be guided by medical reports.
The Sea Eagles will treat discussions on Stewart and Matai’s futures with the utmost respect given their stellar contributions to the club.
Manly fans will be devastated they will not get the chance to properly farewell Lyon at his favourite ground.
“Not everyone gets the fairytale in rugby league,” one official told The Daily Telegraph.
Lyon’s final match was the round 23 golden-point loss to the Hasler-coached Canterbury.
“I rate Jamie as one of the best players to ever play for Manly and one of the best players I have seen play, period,” Manly godfather Ken Arthurson said.
“He has been an outstanding rugby league person. Irrespective of whether he plays or not this weekend in his last game at Brookvale, I am going to come down and watch to show the admiration I have for him.
“He never tried to big-note himself. With Jamie, what you see is what you get. He has never changed.”
The potential loss of three stalwarts will strip Manly of almost 700 games of NRL experience.
Lyon played 224 matches for Manly after switching from the Eels via the UK Super League.
Stewart and Matai have pulled on the maroon jersey on 233 and 230 occasions respectively to sit ninth, 10th and 11th in all-time appearances for the Sea Eagles.
“Stewart and Matai have been wonderful bloody players for Manly,” Arthurson said.
“I am hoping they can continue playing next year but if they can’t, they have played a huge part in the club’s success. Neither have ever taken a backward step — two of the bravest players I have seen in the game. I’ll tell you what, neither of them has ever been found wanting."
I certainly think with comments from Arko like this and several articles coming from Ritchie who is known to be close with Zorba, that the club is looking to soften the blow and both Steve and Brett won't be here next year.
Dean Ritchie - The Daily Telegraph
THERE was just five minutes remaining in Manly’s captain’s run at Brookvale Oval last Friday morning when he felt it pop.
A seemingly innocuous hamstring injury looks certain to end Jamie Lyon’s stellar NRL career.
The 34-year-old, who will retire at season’s end, will front the Sydney media this morning to confirm he won’t be fit to play in his final game at Brookvale Oval on Saturday afternoon against Canberra.
The Daily Telegraph understands the injury will likely keep Lyon out of Manly’s final-round game against Penrith at Pepper Stadium.
And it just may have a domino effect with doubts continuing over the playing futures of star veterans Brett Stewart (knee) and Steve Matai (neck).
If Stewart and Matai were to follow Lyon out of Brookvale, it would snap the last remaining links to Manly’s powerful era under former coach Des Hasler.
Although the pair each have a year remaining on their existing contracts and want to continue playing in 2017, both will be guided by medical reports.
The Sea Eagles will treat discussions on Stewart and Matai’s futures with the utmost respect given their stellar contributions to the club.
Manly fans will be devastated they will not get the chance to properly farewell Lyon at his favourite ground.
“Not everyone gets the fairytale in rugby league,” one official told The Daily Telegraph.
Lyon’s final match was the round 23 golden-point loss to the Hasler-coached Canterbury.
“I rate Jamie as one of the best players to ever play for Manly and one of the best players I have seen play, period,” Manly godfather Ken Arthurson said.
“He has been an outstanding rugby league person. Irrespective of whether he plays or not this weekend in his last game at Brookvale, I am going to come down and watch to show the admiration I have for him.
“He never tried to big-note himself. With Jamie, what you see is what you get. He has never changed.”
The potential loss of three stalwarts will strip Manly of almost 700 games of NRL experience.
Lyon played 224 matches for Manly after switching from the Eels via the UK Super League.
Stewart and Matai have pulled on the maroon jersey on 233 and 230 occasions respectively to sit ninth, 10th and 11th in all-time appearances for the Sea Eagles.
“Stewart and Matai have been wonderful bloody players for Manly,” Arthurson said.
“I am hoping they can continue playing next year but if they can’t, they have played a huge part in the club’s success. Neither have ever taken a backward step — two of the bravest players I have seen in the game. I’ll tell you what, neither of them has ever been found wanting."
I certainly think with comments from Arko like this and several articles coming from Ritchie who is known to be close with Zorba, that the club is looking to soften the blow and both Steve and Brett won't be here next year.