Manly's Lyon hunt continues
ADAM LUCIUS
15apr05
MANLY'S bid for former international centre Jamie Lyon will intensify over the weekend following the star centre's lightning visit to Australia.
<img src='http://www.alternateeagles.com/addins/autogallery/Gallery/2004_09_05%20Manly%20v%20Melbourne%2030-28/presentation/sm-P9050322.jpg' alt='' style='vertical-align:middle; border:0' />
English club St Helens has given Lyon permission to return home to attend the birth of his first child.
The former Eel will be at Brookvale Oval for Manly's clash with Canberra on Sunday and will hold informal talks with Sea Eagles officials.
Lyons has a year to run on his contract with St Helens and would be a welcome addition at Manly.
The Sea Eagles are likely to lose veteran Terry Hill at the end of the season and are struggling for depth in the centre position.
Two-game rookie Steve Matai and the inexperienced Paul Stephenson will play in the centres against the Raiders.
Lyon has been rated the world's best centre by St Helens coach Ian Millward.
Manly executive director Paul Cumm ings has denied making an official approach to Lyon but confirmed his club's ongoing interest.
``Jamie is playing outstanding football and you'd be mad to say you're not interested in a player of his calibre,'' Cummings said last night.
``Obviously he's under contract to St Helens but he's got a solid relationship with Crusher (Noel Cleal) and if he was ever to come back full-time then we'd be interested in talking to him.
``If he's at Brookvale on Sunday I look forward to seeing him.''
Meanwhile, Canberra captain Simon Woolford has warned the Sea Eagles his side still has room for improvement, despite winning four straight matches.
``We put a big emphasis on starting the season well and we've done that but there's a long way to go,'' Woolford said.
``The good thing about this team is we're not content with what we did last weekend.
``This team won't be gelling like we want it to until probably round eight or round nine.
``We didn't play our best footy on the weekend, especially in the second half.
``So we've got a lot to improve on and hopefully we can put a good performance together for 80 minutes against the Eagles.''
ADAM LUCIUS
15apr05
MANLY'S bid for former international centre Jamie Lyon will intensify over the weekend following the star centre's lightning visit to Australia.
<img src='http://www.alternateeagles.com/addins/autogallery/Gallery/2004_09_05%20Manly%20v%20Melbourne%2030-28/presentation/sm-P9050322.jpg' alt='' style='vertical-align:middle; border:0' />
English club St Helens has given Lyon permission to return home to attend the birth of his first child.
The former Eel will be at Brookvale Oval for Manly's clash with Canberra on Sunday and will hold informal talks with Sea Eagles officials.
Lyons has a year to run on his contract with St Helens and would be a welcome addition at Manly.
The Sea Eagles are likely to lose veteran Terry Hill at the end of the season and are struggling for depth in the centre position.
Two-game rookie Steve Matai and the inexperienced Paul Stephenson will play in the centres against the Raiders.
Lyon has been rated the world's best centre by St Helens coach Ian Millward.
Manly executive director Paul Cumm ings has denied making an official approach to Lyon but confirmed his club's ongoing interest.
``Jamie is playing outstanding football and you'd be mad to say you're not interested in a player of his calibre,'' Cummings said last night.
``Obviously he's under contract to St Helens but he's got a solid relationship with Crusher (Noel Cleal) and if he was ever to come back full-time then we'd be interested in talking to him.
``If he's at Brookvale on Sunday I look forward to seeing him.''
Meanwhile, Canberra captain Simon Woolford has warned the Sea Eagles his side still has room for improvement, despite winning four straight matches.
``We put a big emphasis on starting the season well and we've done that but there's a long way to go,'' Woolford said.
``The good thing about this team is we're not content with what we did last weekend.
``This team won't be gelling like we want it to until probably round eight or round nine.
``We didn't play our best footy on the weekend, especially in the second half.
``So we've got a lot to improve on and hopefully we can put a good performance together for 80 minutes against the Eagles.''