Lyon likely to squirm away from Eels and become an Eagle

THE saga over the future of Jamie Lyon is set to end within days, with the former Parramatta, NSW and Australian centre tipped to join Manly.

The Herald understands that Lyon's friendship with Sea Eagles recruitment officer Noel Cleal will be the determining factor when it comes to Lyon's decision where to play next year.
Lyon, who is in the final year of a two-year deal with English club St Helens, is also friends with one of Cleal's sons, Gareth.

Parramatta have a contractual hold over Lyon that prevents other clubs from negotiating with him until the anti-tampering deadline passes tomorrow.

He walked out on the Eels early in the 2004 season and was eventually granted permission to play for his hometown club of Wee Waa for the bulk of that season, then St Helens.

Three clubs - Manly, Penrith and Newcastle - are waiting to try to win the signature of Lyon after it seemed only two months ago that he would return to Parramatta in 2007.

Lyon had been in contact with the Eels and expressed an interest in returning, which sparked negotiations between the club and the player's manager, George Mimis, but Lyon apparently then went cold on the idea.

The familiarity Lyon has with the Cleal family has made Manly favourites, now that Lyon is close to being free to make a decision.

Tim Smith warned about NRL contract risk

Parramatta halfback Tim Smith has been warned his contract could be terminated with any further alcohol related incidents after he was fined $1000 for being intoxicated at a Sydney hotel on the weekend.

Smith was thrown out of Cronulla nightspot Northies for being too drunk on Sunday night, where he also became involved in a verbal altercation with Test cricketer Michael Clarke.
Smith was cleared of any misconduct in relation to his run-in with Clarke.

"The fine's got nothing to do with the Michael Clarke incident, he's been cleared of any wrongdoing there," Eels media manager Damien Kelly said.

"The fact that he was there and intoxicated was the reason he was fined."

It is the second time in as many months the 2005 rookie of the year has had to be called into line by club officials after turning up to training drunk following a drinking session with teammate Mark Riddell.

With the Eels enjoying a much-needed bye this weekend, Smith is in camp with the rest of his teammates on the NSW central coast. The 21-year-old has pledged not to touch another drop of alcohol for the remainder of the season, a promise that if broken will result in a $10,000 fine and a review of his playing contract.

The Eels playmaker has struggled to match the form which saw him touted as a future representative player last year, his battle mirroring that of 2005 minor premiers Parramatta which is languishing in 14th spot on the ladder with only four wins from 14 matches.

Source: AAP

NRL's Smith and cricket's Clarke 'clash'

Parramatta playmaker Tim Smith is in the news again - for all the wrong reasons. The Eels playmaker was reportedly involved in a bar-room scuffle with national team cricketer Michael Clarke on Sunday night and subsequently thrown out by bouncers at Cronulla hotel Northies.
Smith allegedly pushed Clarke after a heated argument in front of other patrons at the pub at about 10pm, News Limited reported.

A patron at the club, who was witness to the incident, said the pair had to be broken up by security.

"They were in each other's faces. Then Smith pushed Michael Clarke and he got kicked out," the patron said.

It is understood Smith, who was drinking with teammate Mark Riddell, then moved on to nearby nightclub Fusion. Smith's manager David Rioli said he had not discussed the matter with the young star, who is in camp with the Eels at Wyong ahead of their bye this weekend.

"As far as I know it wasn't a major incident," Rioli told the News Limited newspaper.

Just over a month ago the reigning Dally M Rookie of the year turned up drunk for Eels training along with Riddell and was stood down from first grade.

Source: AAP

Rabbitohs sign Widders

South Sydney signed Parramatta super-sub Dean Widders to a three-year deal, the club has announced.

Widders was widely tipped to be part of the Rabbitohs' recruitment drive under new majority owners Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court. The 26-year-old forward told the media last weekend he was being squeezed out of Parramatta due to salary cap constraints.

Widders, who became a member of the National Indigenous Council on Monday, said he was looking forward to working with boxer Anthony Mundine on the Rabbitohs' Aboriginal community programs.

"I'm really impressed with the direction the club is heading and I'm looking forward to playing with them next season," Widders said in a statement.

"The club has shown me their plans for their on-field and off-field activities, especially the work they want to do with Aboriginal communities, and I'm looking forward to working with Anthony Mundine and the club on these projects."

Crowe announced Mundine as the club's new indigenous community liaison officer after the Rabbitohs' only win so far this season, against Brisbane on June 10. Rabbitohs executive chairman Holmes a Court said he and Crowe had been impressed by Widders' passion on and off the football field.

"Dean is another example of our desire to bring strong, exciting players to the club who share our passion for rebuilding Souths and who have shown themselves to be leaders both on and off the field," he said in the statement.

"Russell and I called Dean yesterday, and the enthusiasm with which he speaks about community issues is inspiring."

Souths chief executive Shane Richardson added:
"Dean has the attacking potency in the forwards that we haven't had in the past.
"Dean is also highly regarded off the field with the work he does in the Aboriginal community.
"Dean is a role model for indigenous people in this country and we look forward to having him on board in 2007."

Widders has played 114 first grade games and represented Country Origin this year. Widders has also won the Ken Stephen Medal for his contributions to the Aboriginal community, Father Chris Riley's Shine Day Award and the Bounce Back Foundations Community Ambassador of the Year award.

ource: AAP

RD15 - Eels outclass Bunnies 30-10

Parramatta added some space from the foot of the table and kept alive its faint NRL finals hopes with a 30-10 victory over South Sydney.

In the battle between the league's bottom two sides, the Eels scored 22 unanswered points in 25 minutes before and after halftime to out-muscle the Rabbitohs on a bitterly cold night at Parramatta Stadium.

Backrower Nathan Hindmarsh, backing up from Wednesday's State of Origin, and prop Fuifui Moimoi, playing after beating a biting charge at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday, were key figures in five-tries-to-two triumph with both bagging deserved tries.

The Eels' fourth win of the season put them six points clear of cellar dwellers Souths and - for the next month at least - gives Parramatta hope of mounting a finals challenge with the club likely needing to win at least seven of their final 10 games to stand a chance of making the top eight.

After breaking a 12-game losing streak last week, Souths, who lost in-form lock Shane Rigon to a virus before kickoff, had no answer to a rampant Eels forward pack.

Halfback Tim Smith took full advantage of his side's forward dominance with a strong kicking game, while teenage winger Jarryd Hayne, playing his fifth NRL game, provided the 10,097 crowd with much of the night's highlights - showing off both his aerial skills and some crunching cover defence.

Souths took an early lead when five-eighth John Sutton muscled his way through two tacklers to send winger Paul Mellor sprinting away for the first try of the match in the sixth minute.
Parramatta nearly levelled when winger Jarryd Hayne spectacularly batted back a Tim Smith cross-field kick for centre Brett Delaney in the 18th minute, but the try was disallowed with Hayne's foot knocking the corner flag as he leapt for the ball.

The Eels eventually took the lead two minutes later when Moimoi barged over, and then went ahead 10-6 when Hayne claimed a Smith bomb and slipped a pass for Delaney to score.
Hindmarsh ensured the Eels went to the break 16-4 in front when he drew in four defenders on the Bunnies' tryline before offloading to PJ Marsh, who dived over.

Five-eighth John Morris virtually sealed the match when he scored six minutes after the break, with Rabbitohs prop Manase Manuokafoa scoring a late consolation from a Ben Walker bomb which struck the post, before Hindmarsh crashed over in the dying minutes to complete the 20-point win.

Source: AAP

RD14-Storm in top spot after 34-22 win

Melbourne has secured outright top spot on the NRL ladder with a 34-22 win over Parramatta in an incident-marred match at Parramatta Stadium.

The Eels season plunged further into crisis with forward Fuifui Moimoi placed on report for allegedly biting a Storm player.

After a week of headlines off the field, Moimoi ensured the club would come under further scrutiny when he was placed on report by referee Paul Simpkins for allegedly biting Storm prop Brett White in the 56th minute.

Jake Webster scored three tries for the Storm while Eels winger John Williams also bagged a hat-trick with two late four-pointers.

Rd 14 - Eels v Storm Preview
Eels v Storm Parramatta Stadium Sunday, 3pm

A genuine chance for the Eels to knock off the co- leaders.

Form: There has been no shortage of effort in the Eels’ three games under new coach Jason Taylor, but a win over the Roosters is all they have to show. The Storm’s only loss over the past two months was a 34-12 defeat against Manly before Origin I.

History: Melbourne have won four of their past five encounters with the Eels but Parramatta were last-up winners.

Danger sign: The Eels are languishing near the tail of the field and are missing Tahu, Hindmarsh and Grothe but it is the Storm who are vulnerable without six top-liners.

Best Bet? The Storm were poor without their Origin players last time. Take Parramatta at 1-12 in Margins betting.

Money-spinner: The Eels can be expected to target the Storm’s flanks now that high-flyers such as King, Inglis and Slater are missing. Look to Jarryd Hayne as First Tryscorer.

Eels call alcohol summit

PARRAMATTA chief executive Denis Fitzgerald last night ordered an alcohol summit meeting for his troubled club after the fifth Eel in just three weeks was found guilty of booze-related misbehaviour.Rising wing Jarryd Hayne, a New South Wales under-19 player, was yesterday fined $1000 after admitting he bit a woman on the arm while intoxicated at The Roxy nightclub in Parramatta last weekend.

Hayne's fine and apology to the woman comes after recent alcohol issues with Nathan Cayless, Nathan Hindmarsh, Mark Riddell and Tim Smith.

"The management and coaching staff will have a meeting in the next couple of days to consider all options in regard to the recent spate of alcohol incidents," Fitzgerald said to The Daily Telegraph. "
Fitzgerald laughed and hung up when asked whether the Eels were in crisis.

Hindmarsh yesterday expressed concern about the club's ongoing dramas.

"We have had a few incidents in the last couple of weeks so we have really got to sit down and talk to the players about it," he said.

"It is something the club is going to have to address. It is a bit embarrassing.
"We have all made mistakes before and I guess (Hayne) will learn from this.
"I don't know the full story behind it but I am sure he is embarrassed about it."

Fitzgerald ridiculed talk that Hayne's fine was too lenient. "It was appropriate," he said.
Parramatta issued a press statement yesterday where Hayne said: "I did not mean to offend the young lady involved, and I told her that when I spoke to her today.

"My actions were childish and unacceptable, and I understand and accept the penalty that I have received."

The woman spoke to Ray Hadley on 2GB yesterday but did not give her name. She said she attended The Roxy on Sunday night for her 18th birthday celebration and to see the launch of Parramatta's Cheerleaders Calendar. The woman spurned several advances from Hayne but the woman said she "made it clear I wasn't interested and that I had a boyfriend".

"He then touched my hair and stroked my head and was being a smart arse. He then bit me on the upper arm. It didn't hurt but I was in shock. "

"I was really angry that footballers get away with it."

The Daily Telegraph

Ref pushed in bizarre finish

Dragons 8 Parramatta 1

PARRAMATTA halfback Jeremy Smith was placed on report for shoving referee Sean Hampstead as one of the most bizarre games in memory finished on a controversial note at OKI Jubilee Stadium last night.

For 70 minutes, with rain buffeting the players, St George Illawarra and Parramatta engaged in an old-fashioned arm wrestle, neither side managing to trouble the scorer.

Then all hell broke loose.

Eels' five-eighth John Morris started the late mayhem by kicking a field goal in the 70th minute which looked like securing his side an unlikely 1-0 victory. But with Parramatta on the verge of an amazing win, Ben Hornby intervened.

The Dragons' halfback managed to squeeze a field goal to level the scores at 1-1 in the 76th minute, the ball inching over the bar in an ugly fashion.

"When I saw it come off the boot, it was a bit wobbly. I always knew it was a chance to go over," Hornby said.

Hornby then produced a second field goal two minutes later to give his side a 2-1 lead - the type of scoreline associated with the upcoming football World Cup than a modern NRL game.
"When it was 1-1 and we kicked the field goal to go 2-1, one of the (assistant) coaches in the box said the World Cup has come a week early," Dragons' coach Nathan Brown said.

But the drama wasn't finished.

With seconds remaining, Parramatta was given a scrum feed just metres from its line.
Smith fed the ball but appeared to stop in his tracks when Hampstead blew his whistle to indicate time on.

As Hampstead called for play to continue, Smith passed to Morris, who attempted to put through a kick for his outside backs. Morris's kick, however, finished in the hands of Dragons' centre Matt Cooper, who cruised over beside the posts to secure his side's third consecutive victory.

The Parramatta players looked bemused, none more so than Smith.

"When you're feeding the scrum as a halfback and he blows the whistle you think it's a stoppage of play, especially when you have already put the ball in," Parramatta coach Jason Taylor said after the game. "I understand why Jeremy Smith thought he had pulled the play up. PJ Marsh felt the same thing."

The Parramatta players began filing off the field with Hampstead yelling at them to return, saying the game wasn't over until Aaron Gorrell had taken the conversion of Cooper's try.
Gorrell converted, but there was still one more twist in the game.

Hampstead called out Smith on the advice of touch judge Steve Carrall and placed the New Zealander on report for making contact with a referee.

"As you went around the scrum this player has shoved you in the back," Carrall said to Hampstead.

Hampstead was unaware of the contact, but was left with little option but to place Smith on report.

Smith declined to comment afterwards but it's understood video footage showed him pushing Hampstead in the back. Any suspension could cost the Kiwi his first Test jumper. Smith is scheduled to fly to England this month to play for the Kiwis against Great Britain.

The action-packed final 10 minutes flew in the face of the remainder of the match, which for 70 minutes was a dour affair.

It was the sort of game where forwards earn their money and backs catch a cold.

"It was freezing out there," Hindmarsh said.

"That's the coldest game I have played in a long time. It was a good old tight game. I hope everybody enjoyed watching it. It wasn't enjoyable playing."

Hindmarsh was again outstanding for Parramatta while Dragons' prop Luke Bailey almost certainly played his way into a NSW jersey to play Queensland in Brisbane on June 14.
Bailey, widely tipped to replace the injured Luke O'Donnell (broken thumb), produced a typically robust display.

Cooper, forced out of Game I with a hamstring injury, had also hoped to press his hopes but was reduced to a bit player as the ball seldom went wide.

Brown, however, believes both Cooper and Bailey should be there as NSW attempts to wrap up the series in Brisbane.

"If they were both fit last time they would have played," Brown said.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 8 (M Cooper try; A Gorrell goal; B Hornby 2 field goals)PARRAMATTA 1 (J Morris field goal) Referee: S Hampstead.Crowd: 9075 at OKI Jubilee Stadium.

Rd 13 - Dragons v Eels Preview
Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 12:20 PM
Dragons v Eels Oki Jubilee StadiumFriday, 7.30pm

The Dragons should be razor keen in their first match for the year at Kogarah.

Form: Both carry winning form into this match; the Dragons have scored convincing victories over the Warriors and the Knights, while Parramatta ended a four-game losing streak when they held out the Roosters 22-20 last Sunday.

History: The Dragons have an imposing record at Oki Jubilee – seven wins from their past eight games – and they shaded the Eels 25-22 when the teams clashed there in round 24 last season. Head-to-head count favours the Eels 7-3, with one drawn.

Danger sign: Serious disruption to the Dragons’ halves could halt their momentum. They were coping without regular halfback Mathew Head, but the loss of Trent Barrett to suspension is a major setback.

Money-spinner: Spend a dollar on Mark Gasnier as First Tryscorer. He was hot against the Knights and the added responsibility, now Barrett is out, should suit him.

Source: Big League