This Is Cheshire

Saints snare deadly Lyon

From the Guardian Series, first published Thursday 19th Aug 2004.

SAINTS coach Ian Millward has hailed the capture of Australian Test centre Jamie Lyon as the club's biggest signing since Mal Meninga.

The 22-year-old lethal three-quarter begins a two-year contract at Knowsley Road next season and has been brought in to replace Martin Gleeson, who was recently sold to Warrington.

Lyon was a young achiever in the game, becoming a full Test international and representing Parramatta Eels in the NRL Grand Final at the age of 19.

But he walked away from Parramatta and the game at the beginning of the 2004 season citing a dislike for living in Sydney.

He is currently playing for New South Wales country side Wee Waa despite having a number of offers to return to the NRL.

Although some may view Lyon's signing as a gamble - it is certainly one that will get the fans talking following a month of uncertainty. It will also put an end to the rumours that Saints were being turned into a selling club.

Beaming Saints chairman Eamonn McManus declared: "This signing is very good news for the club and the game.

"Jamie is coming here with a very high degree of enthusiasm. We believe his link up with Darren Albert will provide a sensational partnership on the right hand side of the field."

The signing appears to have lifted the gloom hanging in the air since the selling of Gleeson, which has coincided with a bad patch on the park.

Millward said: "It is a pretty exciting time for me and probably the biggest signing I have made at the club in the five years I have been here.

"This is a blue riband signing with regard to his age. He is the youngest guy to ever play for Australia, breaking Brad Fittler's record.

"We are moving forward and this signifies that. It is St Helens' biggest signing since Mal Meninga - a player who had a huge impact here and is still part and parcel of folklore in this town.

"I expect Jamie to be the same when he eventually departs St Helens. He is a world class strike centre and can only improve."

Saints, who will be vying to record their first Super League win against arch-rivals Wigan Warriors since April 2002 tomorrow, Friday night, have paid an undisclosed fee to Parramatta to allow Lyon's release from his contract.

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