A superb player. As many have said it will put a big hole in our team's composure, attacking potential, defence and competitive edge for some time to come. You just can't replace top quality players with that much experience easily. And as Chip'n'chase says, he could do everything.
I share many memories already mentioned as special for Sea Eagles fans. I just remember alot watching his peerless work in a Friday night Brooky game once (maybe in 2011 or 2012). In defence, marshalling the right-side defence, going in to cut movements off or sliding out as needed faultlessly. And cleaning up loose balls, or taking a hit-up when a bit of speed and forward momentum was needed. In attack, the combinations with winger and Snake, always doing exactly what was needed as if it was simple -- to run the decoy, or draw and pass, or take it himself.
He could do the miraculous; the kick and regather tries, chip throughs, brilliant pickup and pass plays, big performances on big occasions. But the really great players show their quality in all the big and little things they do, all with the same level of effort and perfectionism. Jamie Lyon was one of them.
He's certainly bumped O'Connor off for the other centre spot in my greatest ever Manly team. Tempted to give him the captain's armband also.