HappilyManly
Journey Man
Peter Peters says Jamie Lyon deserves centre stage
PETER PETERS
MANLY DAILY
AUGUST 02, 2013 3:53PM
SORRY Snoz, it's time to go. Jamie Lyon should be installed in Manly's greatest ever side.
Lyon will play out his career with Manly and the quiet co-captain deserves to take a centre spot occupied by Michael O'Connor in Manly's greatest side.
Do you think Jamie Lyon should replace Michael O'Connor? Tell us below
I was on a selection panel in 1991 which chose a Manly all-star side and again in 1996 to celebrate Manly's 50-year anniversary.
In 2006 the side was updated and seven years down the rugby league road Lyon simply has to go into the side as Bob Fulton's centre partner.
His amazingly consistent and brilliant play, leadership and pure point-scoring ability insist the humble champion takes his place.
While I have no right to decide I can confer with people I respect on the selection panel from 2006 and it's no surprise that they agree.
Sea Eagles Godfather Ken Arthurson said it was a "no brainer" to include Lyon.
"I have no problems with the inclusion of Jamie Lyon. He is a wonderful player and I love watching him play. Michael O'Connor was a special player but Lyon has earned a spot alongside Bob Fulton,'' Arthurson said.
Sydney's most experienced rugby league journalist Phil Rothfield was also on the 2006 selection panel and he too agreed the seven seasons Lyon has produced at Manly had been more than enough for him to force his way into the highest team.
"He came in 2007 - the season after the side was chosen to celebrate Manly's 60 years. Killer has to be in any updated side. Bob Fulton has one spot for life and that leaves O'Connor's spot for Lyon," Rothfield said.
THE GO-TO PEOPLE
THERE are people who know rugby league and people who think they know.
My three "go-to" people are lifelong friends and rugby league champions Ken Arthurson, Original Immortal Bob Fulton and the greatest English player to wear the maroon and white, Malcolm Reilly.
Arthurson's thoughts have already been expressed on Lyon. Fulton is Manly's highest legend and he is - and has always been- a fan of Jamie Lyon.
He coached Michael O'Connor during his career at Manly which brought a premiership in 1987.
"O'Connor was a superb player and Lyon's inclusion in any side above him is simply a matter of opinion but it is an opinion I would support," Fulton said.
"Jamie Lyon is one of the most complete players I have seen."
RINGING ENDORSEMENT
IN 2006 when it was announced Jamie Lyon was leaving St Helens in the English Super League to join the Sea Eagles I received a call from Malcolm Reilly who won two premierships.
"Zorba - Manly have signed the finest Australian player I have seen play in England in the last 20 years - Jamie Lyon is a champion." Reilly said.
THE STATISTICS
SO WHAT has Lyon achieved in almost seven seasons at Manly?
His record is simply stunning. In short it reads:
■ 172 games
■ Premierships 2008, 2011
■ Dally M Centre of Year 2010, 2011
■ Dally M Captain of Year 2012
■ Scored 88 tries in 172 games for Manly
■ Overall NRL record 227 games 1090 points
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/northern-beaches/peter-peters-says-jamie-lyon-deserves-centre-stage/story-fngr8hax-1226690316448
PETER PETERS
MANLY DAILY
AUGUST 02, 2013 3:53PM
SORRY Snoz, it's time to go. Jamie Lyon should be installed in Manly's greatest ever side.
Lyon will play out his career with Manly and the quiet co-captain deserves to take a centre spot occupied by Michael O'Connor in Manly's greatest side.
Do you think Jamie Lyon should replace Michael O'Connor? Tell us below
I was on a selection panel in 1991 which chose a Manly all-star side and again in 1996 to celebrate Manly's 50-year anniversary.
In 2006 the side was updated and seven years down the rugby league road Lyon simply has to go into the side as Bob Fulton's centre partner.
His amazingly consistent and brilliant play, leadership and pure point-scoring ability insist the humble champion takes his place.
While I have no right to decide I can confer with people I respect on the selection panel from 2006 and it's no surprise that they agree.
Sea Eagles Godfather Ken Arthurson said it was a "no brainer" to include Lyon.
"I have no problems with the inclusion of Jamie Lyon. He is a wonderful player and I love watching him play. Michael O'Connor was a special player but Lyon has earned a spot alongside Bob Fulton,'' Arthurson said.
Sydney's most experienced rugby league journalist Phil Rothfield was also on the 2006 selection panel and he too agreed the seven seasons Lyon has produced at Manly had been more than enough for him to force his way into the highest team.
"He came in 2007 - the season after the side was chosen to celebrate Manly's 60 years. Killer has to be in any updated side. Bob Fulton has one spot for life and that leaves O'Connor's spot for Lyon," Rothfield said.
THE GO-TO PEOPLE
THERE are people who know rugby league and people who think they know.
My three "go-to" people are lifelong friends and rugby league champions Ken Arthurson, Original Immortal Bob Fulton and the greatest English player to wear the maroon and white, Malcolm Reilly.
Arthurson's thoughts have already been expressed on Lyon. Fulton is Manly's highest legend and he is - and has always been- a fan of Jamie Lyon.
He coached Michael O'Connor during his career at Manly which brought a premiership in 1987.
"O'Connor was a superb player and Lyon's inclusion in any side above him is simply a matter of opinion but it is an opinion I would support," Fulton said.
"Jamie Lyon is one of the most complete players I have seen."
RINGING ENDORSEMENT
IN 2006 when it was announced Jamie Lyon was leaving St Helens in the English Super League to join the Sea Eagles I received a call from Malcolm Reilly who won two premierships.
"Zorba - Manly have signed the finest Australian player I have seen play in England in the last 20 years - Jamie Lyon is a champion." Reilly said.
THE STATISTICS
SO WHAT has Lyon achieved in almost seven seasons at Manly?
His record is simply stunning. In short it reads:
■ 172 games
■ Premierships 2008, 2011
■ Dally M Centre of Year 2010, 2011
■ Dally M Captain of Year 2012
■ Scored 88 tries in 172 games for Manly
■ Overall NRL record 227 games 1090 points
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/northern-beaches/peter-peters-says-jamie-lyon-deserves-centre-stage/story-fngr8hax-1226690316448