Manly are set to open negotiations with captain Jamie Lyon for 2014 and beyond after blocking a bid by Gold Coast on Friday to poach him for the coming NRL season.
The Sea Eagles confirmed they were approached with an offer by the Titans and Lyon’s manager, but deny their star centre actually asked for a release from the final year of his contract.
Lyon issued a statement claiming the negotiations for an immediate move were happening without his knowledge, pledging his full commitment to Manly for this year.
Lyon’s future beyond this year is up in the air, but he’s confident the speculation would not affect the team.
“Unbeknown to me, the Sea Eagles, then my manager received an unexpected offer for me to join the Gold Coast team immediately,” Lyon said in a Manly statement.
“My loyalty and commitment to Manly remains uncompromised and I look forward to season 2013 with the Sea Eagles.”
Sea Eagles general manager of football Steve Gigg said Lyon was contracted until the end of the season and would not be seeking an early release.
Gigg said the Gold Coast were “testing the waters” with their approach and were told in no uncertain terms that Lyon was off limits for 2013.
He said reports that Lyon had asked for a release were “completely incorrect”.
Gigg revealed the Sea Eagles would “commence negotiations soon” with their skipper to extend his current deal.
It’s understood Manly’s salary cap is tight and Lyon’s departure would obviously free a lot of money.
But Lyon is arguably the premier centre in the game and Manly have made it clear they will do everything possible to keep the former NSW and Test representative at Brookvale.
Gold Coast earlier this week missed out on the signature of Michael Jennings, who linked with the Sydney Roosters.
Titans chief executive David May made it clear last week his club was in negotiations with other star centres should the Jennings deal fall through.
Gold Coast reportedly offered Lyon a four-year deal and it’s clear the club has plenty of money to spend on a quality centre.
News Limited reported on Friday that Lyon had agreed to a “deal in principle” with Gold Coast and was meeting with Sea Eagles management to ask for a release from the final year of his NRL contract.
Lyon walked out on Parramatta midway through 2004 before moving to the English Super League for two seasons.
Dave
Guest
Typical garbage from Rothfield. Never one for the truth. Could someone tell me how many 'positive' stories he ran on Cronulla and Canterbury last year and continually put crap on Manly. I'd be pissed too if my team had never won a comp ( oh, except the Amco Cup. Haha). Just have a look at their trophy cabinet and you can understand why he carries on like he's got half the sand from Cronulla beach still in his crack all the time. I'm willing to overlook all of this because I do feel sorry for him and his never ending nightmare of being a sharks supporter. But what is his connection to Canterbury? Did Greenberg get to you? Why were The dogs in just about every ad for the NRL in the tele? Even after the end of season fracas that only Canterbury can get away with they promoted 'the biter' on the back page with a big ad for Jaycar. Yes the company that has an imbecile for a CEO. If I was David Perry I would seek out an explanation from the NRL because its meant to be promoting ALL teams from the Sydney area. Not just the ones that have certain journalists on their books. Rothfield is now blaming Perry for his predicament. Only ads to his already crumbling lack of credibility.
Gregg
Guest
I wonder if Delmege is building Lyon's house ?
Pot Stirrer
Guest
I love a conspiracy theory.
BA Sports
Guest
While no shock that Rothfield was off the mark, i wouldn't totally discredit the notion that Lyon was interested. He has told some little white lies before and loyalty is not is strong suit.
oikee
Guest
+2
Mals
Guest
Well said Eagle Jack. As much as we all do love rugby league it is just a game after all. Rugby League lost a very promising, tough young forward in Jon Mannah on Thursday.
Bearfax
Guest
Keep talking Oikee for wasnt it Sun Tzu who said 'Probe him and learn where his strength is abundant....and where deficient'
Bearfax
Guest
Now Oinkee. best not play name games, lest I send Jamie up for the pig shooting as you suggested. The supplemental comment was a qualification not a retraction. No boinkees here. And the reference to Lyon doing the Mr Smith Goes to Washington seems a little back to front if we're talking about our lad going to Queensland. Isnt it more like The Egg and I or Greenacres. Ah Queensland..Wild one day, feral the next.
oikee
Guest
I always fall back on Confuscious for my wellbeing, he said, "madness is not only one step from Genius, but also one step from cliff". :)
oikee
Guest
I read your correction and knew you had blundered again Beerfax,, oh sorry, Bearfax. (is their a hint their in that name.) , as for my return, just the fax, just the fact's. Looking forward to our opening round , i am not knocking Jamie, i hope and pray he stays at Manly. If you read between the lines i think i mentioned that somewhere. cheers.
oikee
Guest
Maybe that is why they offered him so much,,,,,Holiday pay,,, very expensive on the coast. :) Jamie wont go Gus, in all honesty, can you see a pigshooter living the dream. ? Be like "Mr Smith goes to Washington". hehe
Bearfax
Guest
Oh Oikee you are such a tease and good to see that you have your old form back....I was getting disillusioned. As they say being mad is only a short step from genius. We'll see in the next year which option best fits. And your comment that you never read my comments does cause me some disappointment but then confusion. Perhaps you know what I am saying through some form of mental print osmosis or you've been expanding that consciousness of yours with those pretty pink pills you like when you're feeling uninspired and just plain normal.
Gus Paella
Guest
Maybe Jamie wants another crack at a premiership before heading to the Gold Coast. The titans can also offer an extra month of holidays as they never play in September. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
oikee
Guest
I never read them Bearfax (your comment), just looking at them had the look of a madman. But i will give you the benifit of the doubt and say yes, you are right, way off the mark. I think Lyon should stay at Manly. Lockyer took a pay cut to finish at the Broncos, i am sure they wont go poor.
oikee
Guest
What did the Titans offer him, 3 million bucks, but Jamie will stay at Manly for the love of them and 1 million, because he loves Manly, nearly as much as he loved the Eels, and England, and weewah. hehe
eagleJack
Guest
Yesterday morning was a strange one for me as a Manly fan but more so as a fan of rugby league in general. While shocked and disappointed that Lyon could be leaving, the death of Jon Mannah certainly put everything into perspective.
Bearfax
Guest
ps My comments are purely conjecture and probably way off the mark. There will be other players ending their contract after 2013 to loosen salary cap problems and Lyon has made it quite plain on Manly's supporters forum that he is definitely staying for now.
Bearfax
Guest
There maybe behind the scenes issues here that are suspected but not confirmed. 1) Manly and Parramatta salary cap situation tight. Gold Coast not so. 2) Manly have apparently made a 2 year offer to Lyon but he wants longer and I think he would prefer to stay at Manly because he is building house locally. 3) Lyons parent live near Gold Coast 4) Stuart's involvement at Parramatta has changed policy regarding recruitment. They dont want to pay exorbitant monies for players now. 5) Original Will Hopoate deal included Jamil (his bother) and John (his father) also moving there. John apparently is no longer at Parramatta since Stuart took over and is now assistant coach of Manly's SG Ball side where his third son may likely play this year. Jamil was released for reasons that seem minor. If they wanted him they would have sought counselling etc. As it is he left and is quickly snapped up by Manly. Will Hopoate is yet to play a game with Parra and to start there in 2014. Locks up a lot of money on a yet unproven player. 6) Both Lyon and Will Hopoate are both best suited to play centre. Lyon wants to decent contract to take him to retirement and Gold Coast are offering a motza. Its suspect Will wants to go back to Manly because family are there and he will require decent contract to cover loss of bigger contract agreed to at Parra. 7) Connect the dots. Maybe just conjecture but interesting scenario.
Chui
Guest
Wow, Rothfield writing something false about Manly - who'd a thunk it? Today's Herald has Lyon's side of the story. Somewhat different.
Meesta Cool
Guest
I fail to see how several clubs that are 'buying up bigtime' are keeping within their salary caps. To tempt players to your club, yoiu need to offer them MUCH more than they are already earning and offer all sorts of 'incentives'. yup how ARE they doing it?.