Jamie Lyon Representative CommitmentsSea Eagles centre Jamie Lyon could face a ban from the NRL if he doesn’t accept representative invitations in 2009 writes Peter Roy.

The Australian Rugby League (ARL) has confirmed that Lyon’s request to excluded from representative football has been knocked back.

The ARL should be congratulated for taking a strong stance towards Jamie Lyon, he is a player who has in the past shown a casual attitude towards Rugby League; demonstrated when he walked out on his Parramatta Eels contract.

As it stands, if Lyon is selected for reps and doesn’t accept the chance to take part, he will be stood down from the NRL match on that weekend

The current Sea Eagles star didn’t take part in State of Origin 2008 after he apparently said to Storm coach Craig Bellamy he did not want to be chosen.

According to sources, there is only a selected criteria that allows any player to retire from rep football.

This revolves around the following factors; age of the player, amount of years playing NRL alone and the condition of any long-term injuires a player may have.

The move makes for an interesting scenario, will selectors be game to pick Lyon given his attitude is seemingly not focused on representative football?

The season ahead might be a tough one for Lyon, while the Sea Eagles are looking primed for a back-to-back assault on the premiership, the talented Chris Bailey is now the main candidate for the pivot role and Lyon could have competition in the centres with Matai already holding one spot and a glutten of wingers that could back-full centre if needed.

By ricky

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