Lyon fears hectic start will take puff out of premiers Michael Chammas
February 1, 2012
MANLY co-captain Jamie Lyon is concerned the premiers might suffer from the same World Club Challenge hangover that derailed St George Illawarra's quest for back-to-back titles last year.
There is an ominous parallel between Manly's approaching start to the NRL season and the 2011 start to the year for the Dragons, who fizzled out at the end of the year after producing the best start to a season in the club's history.
The Dragons started their premiership defence in England with the World Club Challenge, before travelling to the Gold Coast, New Zealand, Cronulla and Newcastle in the opening four weeks of the competition. Manly have a near-identical start to their campaign, away from Brookvale for their opening five rounds as they travel to New Zealand, Gosford, Cronulla and Kogarah in a hectic month to kick off the 2012 season.
Advertisement: Story continues below While traditionally most NRL teams have struggled in the early rounds of the competition after competing in the World Club Challenge, Lyon believes the gruelling schedule could take its toll on the team in the second half of the season.
''There is a big chance it will,'' Lyon said. ''If you look at our start to the season, we have a horror run. We're away for five or six weeks, so it's going to be tough. Sunday afternoon in New Zealand then backing up five days later in Gosford on a Friday night. We definitely have got our challenges there, so hopefully we don't get too many injuries and our recovery is top class.''
While there is every chance fatigue could settle in and disrupt Geoff Toovey's men from becoming the first team since the Brisbane Broncos in 1992-93 to win consecutive titles, Lyon isn't complaining about the opportunity the World Club Challenge presents.
Having played in England and been part of a previous World Club Challenge campaign, Lyon admitted the preseason trip wasn't the ideal preparation for an NRL season.
But the veteran centre put the onus back on the playing group to do their part to ensure they come out of it with no ailing side effects.
''You're out of your comfort zone and you're out of your normal preparations for the season, and that can be tough,'' Lyon said. ''You've just got to deal with it. It's going to take its toll but we just have to get through the first few games of the season and then hopefully we're in good shape when we're back at home.''
The last time Manly played in the annual match between the NRL and English Super League champions was back in 2009, also against Leeds. Their 28-20 win at Elland Road ended England's five-year stranglehold on the trophy and also triggered a period of Australian dominance, with Melbourne and St George Illawarra both winning in their recent visits.
The Sea Eagles have been working overtime under Toovey and, while the players remain in contact with former Sea Eagle-turned Bulldog, Des Hasler, they have enjoyed the change of scenery at the club.
''All up over the last couple of months, it's been pretty tough, but it's been pretty enjoyable as well,'' Lyon said. ''Everyone's getting along well and everyone's loving the little bit of change from Des.''
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/lyon-fears-hectic-start-will-take-puff-out-of-premiers-20120131-1qrfw.html#ixzz1l51Rp3DB
February 1, 2012
MANLY co-captain Jamie Lyon is concerned the premiers might suffer from the same World Club Challenge hangover that derailed St George Illawarra's quest for back-to-back titles last year.
There is an ominous parallel between Manly's approaching start to the NRL season and the 2011 start to the year for the Dragons, who fizzled out at the end of the year after producing the best start to a season in the club's history.
The Dragons started their premiership defence in England with the World Club Challenge, before travelling to the Gold Coast, New Zealand, Cronulla and Newcastle in the opening four weeks of the competition. Manly have a near-identical start to their campaign, away from Brookvale for their opening five rounds as they travel to New Zealand, Gosford, Cronulla and Kogarah in a hectic month to kick off the 2012 season.
Advertisement: Story continues below While traditionally most NRL teams have struggled in the early rounds of the competition after competing in the World Club Challenge, Lyon believes the gruelling schedule could take its toll on the team in the second half of the season.
''There is a big chance it will,'' Lyon said. ''If you look at our start to the season, we have a horror run. We're away for five or six weeks, so it's going to be tough. Sunday afternoon in New Zealand then backing up five days later in Gosford on a Friday night. We definitely have got our challenges there, so hopefully we don't get too many injuries and our recovery is top class.''
While there is every chance fatigue could settle in and disrupt Geoff Toovey's men from becoming the first team since the Brisbane Broncos in 1992-93 to win consecutive titles, Lyon isn't complaining about the opportunity the World Club Challenge presents.
Having played in England and been part of a previous World Club Challenge campaign, Lyon admitted the preseason trip wasn't the ideal preparation for an NRL season.
But the veteran centre put the onus back on the playing group to do their part to ensure they come out of it with no ailing side effects.
''You're out of your comfort zone and you're out of your normal preparations for the season, and that can be tough,'' Lyon said. ''You've just got to deal with it. It's going to take its toll but we just have to get through the first few games of the season and then hopefully we're in good shape when we're back at home.''
The last time Manly played in the annual match between the NRL and English Super League champions was back in 2009, also against Leeds. Their 28-20 win at Elland Road ended England's five-year stranglehold on the trophy and also triggered a period of Australian dominance, with Melbourne and St George Illawarra both winning in their recent visits.
The Sea Eagles have been working overtime under Toovey and, while the players remain in contact with former Sea Eagle-turned Bulldog, Des Hasler, they have enjoyed the change of scenery at the club.
''All up over the last couple of months, it's been pretty tough, but it's been pretty enjoyable as well,'' Lyon said. ''Everyone's getting along well and everyone's loving the little bit of change from Des.''
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/lyon-fears-hectic-start-will-take-puff-out-of-premiers-20120131-1qrfw.html#ixzz1l51Rp3DB