Caption: The countdown to the end of a great era at Manly begins on Saturday night for Jamie Lyon.
Sea Eagles Coach Trent Barrett rattled off the dangers the North Queensland Cowboys present with ease ahead of tomorrow night’s Brookvale Oval blockbuster against the Premiers.
“There aren’t really any weaknesses, particularly with the football. They are a dangerous side and (Jonathan) Thurston is a threat all over the park. (Michael) Morgan on the right and (Lachlan) Coote on the left,’’ Barrett said.
“Coote’s a left foot kick, there is a kick threat, there is a run threat from all of them, there is a pass threat, (Jake) Granville’s a threat out of dummy half.
“You have got to be on your toes everywhere and we understand that. The key is to keep the ball off them and handle their middles.”
The Sea Eagles go into the game at Brookvale Oval missing Brett Stewart (hamstring) and Tom Trbojevic (ankle) from the team named on Tuesday. The Sea Eagles trained today for the first time since beating Newcastle at Hunter Stadium on Anzac Day.
Matt Parcell will play after overcoming a hamstring injury while hooker Api Koroisau (rib) will be given until an hour before kick-off to prove his fitness.
New signing Mathew Wright is set to play for the Sea Eagles just days after being granted a release from the Cowboys.
Barrett is still to determine whether Wright will play at wing or full-back. Winger Brayden Wiliame finished the game against Newcastle at full-back following the injury to Stewart.
The match also begins the final countdown of home games at Brookvale Oval for Captain and club legend Jamie Lyon.
Barrett said the premiership winning centre deserved to go out on the best possible note and expected his players to lift for their captain. He added the coaching staff did try to convince Lyon to stay on for an extra season.
“It gives ‘Killer’ a chance to really enjoy the last 20 odd weeks of footy. We need to send him out in the fashion he deserves,’’ Barrett said.
“He is a champion player, a great of this club, and will go down as one of the best centres of his generation.
“Not only that, he is a champion bloke Jamie. He is held in well high regard amongst the players, not just a footballer but as a person. It is pretty hard to find someone to say a bad word about Jamie Lyon.”
Video: Watch Jamie Lyon here talk about his retirement.
Auction: Make a bid here on Jamie Lyon's signed game worn Anzac Day jersey.
Tickets: Buy tickets here for the Cowboys clash at Brookvale Oval this Saturday night.
Times
Gates open: 5.00pm
Holden Cup Kick-off: 5.15pm
NRL Kick-off: 7.40pm.
