Thursday, April 15, 2004
Sterlo urges Parra to let Lyon go bush
Former Eels great Peter Sterling has urged Parramatta to rethink the tough stance it has taken over preventing Jame Lyon from playing for the Wee Waa Panthers.
Sterling told Radio 2UE and was later quoted in The Australian saying: "Jamie's not trying to dud Parramatta. If he wants to play in the bush it would be a great thing for country rugby league."
However, Parra boss Denis Fitzgerald appears unlikely to back down. He described the meeting held yesterday as "hard hitting" and said Lyon was "surprised" by the refusal to grant a release.
Fitzgerald told AAP he certainly "had not ruled out" Lyon playing again for the Eels.
"If he doesn't play for us this year we will have another chat at the end of the season."
Nathan Cayless told The Australian that Lyon "hasn't totally pulled the pin."
"He is going to think about it for another few weeks or so. He is a mate. We have grown up together. It's a tough situation, but all you can do is offer him support.
"He's pretty stubborn, but at least he's going to think about it for a bit longer. But he's got to do what he thinks is best for him. We have proven that we can play on without him. We are a good team, but with him we are a classy side.
Sterling told Radio 2UE and was later quoted in The Australian saying: "Jamie's not trying to dud Parramatta. If he wants to play in the bush it would be a great thing for country rugby league."
However, Parra boss Denis Fitzgerald appears unlikely to back down. He described the meeting held yesterday as "hard hitting" and said Lyon was "surprised" by the refusal to grant a release.
Fitzgerald told AAP he certainly "had not ruled out" Lyon playing again for the Eels.
"If he doesn't play for us this year we will have another chat at the end of the season."
Nathan Cayless told The Australian that Lyon "hasn't totally pulled the pin."
"He is going to think about it for another few weeks or so. He is a mate. We have grown up together. It's a tough situation, but all you can do is offer him support.
"He's pretty stubborn, but at least he's going to think about it for a bit longer. But he's got to do what he thinks is best for him. We have proven that we can play on without him. We are a good team, but with him we are a classy side.
