Killer to replace Snoz as Manly's Centre in Team of The Century

[HappilyManly]

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

 

[globaleagle]

Nah, leave snoz bounce fulton. That guy was a real bozo.

 

[Berkeley_Eagle]

what is the team of the century ?

 

[The Eagle Has Landed]

Jamie Lyon is the best NSW centre I have seen he thoroughly deserves the accolade

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

what is the team of the century ?

..and which century?

 

[mickqld]

what is the team of the century ?

The one running out in maroon and White at 530pm today at Cumberland oval.

 

[Brissie Kid]

So what is the line up of the 2006 selection?

If they did it now not only would Lyon take O'Connor but would Snake surpass Eadie?

 

[Berkeley_Eagle]

found this

MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES GREATEST TEAM:
1. Graham Eadie 1971-83 (237 games)
2. Ken Irvine 1971-73 (60 games)
3. Bob Fulton 1966-76 (213 games)
4. Michael O'Connor 1987-82 (115 games)
5. Ray Branighan 1972-78 (114 games)
6. Wally O'Connell 1951-52 (34 games)
7. Geoff Toovey 1988-2001 (286 games)
8. Roy Bull 1947-59 (177 games)
9. Max Krilich 1970-83 (215 games)
10. John O'Neill 1972-74 (51 games)
11. Steven Menzies 1993-2006 (302 games)
12. Terry Randall 1970-82 (208 games)
13. Malcolm Reilly 1971-75 (89 games)

Bench:
14. Des Hasler 1984-96 (255 games)
15. Ben Kennedy 2005-06 (37 games)
16. Cliff Lyons 1986-99 (309 games)
17. Paul Vautin 1979-89 (204 games)

Coach:
Frank Stanton


Manly's Greatest Team Announced
Home › News › Manly's Greatest Team Announced
6 August 2006 at 6:52pm by NRL

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles have enjoyed a great history with a few hard times in the last 60 seasons and last night they announced their greatest ever team between 1947-2006.

There were over 400 people in attendance last night at Manly Leagues Club, which included many greatst from the past and present to select their greatest side from 60 years of history that has included six Premierships, several Grand Final appearances, 60 Internationals and even two years as a merged entity with arch-rivals North Sydney Bears.

As expected with every historical side announced, there were a few surprises with Wally O'Connell selected at five-eighth over long-time stalwart Cliff Lyons and Ben Kennedy named on the bench ahead of former Internationals such as Noel Cleal and Rex Mossop. Max Krilich won the hooker position ahead of Fred Jones in what would have been a tight decision and politics was ignored with 1987 Premiership-winning Manly captain Paul Vautin deservedly winning a place on the bench alongside Lyons, utility specialist Des Hasler and Kennedy.

Former Manly Chief Executive Ken Arthurson named the side, which included Arthurson as Team Manager following in the footsteps of Canterbury's 70-year side two years ago when they named Peter Moore in the same position. Manly however named a Coach with Frank Stanton the standout choice ahead of Ron Willey and Bob Fulton.

No captain was officially announced but Fulton who captained Manly to Premiership success in 1976 is the obvious choice who Arthurson regards as the best player he's seen and was one of the four original Immortals.

Manly have won Premierships in 1972, 1973, 1976, 1978, 1987 and 1996, have won the Minor Premiership on nine occasions and never won the Wooden Spoon. Manly have provided 60 Internationals with Max Krilich captain of the 1982 Invincibles Kangaroo Tour and 38 players to the State of Origin arena with 25 coming from New South Wales and 13 from Queensland. Krilich and Geoff Toovey captained NSW when at Manly whilst Vautin led the Maroons.

The Sea Eagles of 2006 are now in the top four with four rounds remaining and with a solid front row, an excellent back-row, a good halfback and speed outwide Manly are one of the major threats to a Storm-Bulldogs Grand Final this year.

http://rleague.com/news/Manlys-Greatest-Team-Announced_95525/

 

[bones]

Choc and Gift > Fatty IMO

 

[IQofalimabean]

If they made the list today Choc, lyon, Snake and maybe some others would make the team.

 

[Brissie Kid]

Cliff Lyons has to be there ahead of Wally O'Connell. I know from what people have said here that Wally did a lot to build the club & influenced Fulton's play & coaching but Lyons stats & grand finals for Manly are just mindblowing.

Like O'Connell it looks like Kennedy is there on sentiment too. Watmough should have his spot.

Irvine & Branigan look to be two that could go too. Maybe put O'Connor on the wing instead of Branigan.

 

[Wolfpack]

I really think that a player should have to have played in 100 games for a club to be considered for these things. Any less than that & they're really more associated with other teams.

It's ways irked me that BK made our team of the century, as great a player as he was.

 

[Brissie Kid]

Exactly Wolfpack! 100%.

Joke that Ian Martin didn't make that team. Four grand final wins in the 1970s I think.

 

[EagleFromMay1967]

Cliff Lyons has to be there ahead of Wally O'Connell. I know from what people have said here that Wally did a lot to build the club & influenced Fulton's play & coaching but Lyons stats & grand finals for Manly are just mindblowing.

Like O'Connell it looks like Kennedy is there on sentiment too. Watmough should have his spot.

Irvine & Branigan look to be two that could go too. Maybe put O'Connor on the wing instead of Branigan.

Certainly Branigan - he was very ordinary for Manly, only played above average in patches.
Suggested wing replacements for Branigan: Tom Mooney. Kerry Boustead. Dale Shearer. Michael Robertson. John Hopoate. O Connor did NOT play wing for Manly.

 

[Shoe1]

Agree mooney shearer hoppa and robbo ahead of branighan.

 

[TWO DOGS]

I would omit Hasler on moral grounds.

 

[Jatz Crackers]

PETER PETERS
MANLY DAILY
AUGUST 02, 2013 3:53PM

Sydney's most experienced rugby league journalist Phil Rothfield

Oh look, diced peas & carrots.

 

[Rambo1987]

The Team of the Century is based from 1900 to 2000 - so we cant change anyone. Lyon will probably be captain of the next team from 2000 to 2100.

 

[Chip and Chase]

The Team of the Century is based from 1900 to 2000 - so we cant change anyone. Lyon will probably be captain of the next team from 2000 to 2100.

If that's the case how did BK get a jersey ??

It's not a "team of the century", it was a 60 year anniversary team (1947-2006).

 

[Killer03]

Snoz was an absolute legend for Manly (and for Rugby League), but Jamie Lyon has just brought so much in his time to Manly that I personally (and yes from my name I'm highly highly biased) believe he has to be included.

Killer has been the difference between us being competitive around the Top4 or 5 to winning premierships. And his captaincy and coolness has only enhanced his status.

Good onya Killer.

I think Snake and Choc are certainly pushing for spots.