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Sea Eagles-Powerful pair
Powerful pair...Matt Orford and Jamie lyon. Pic: Elenor Tedenborg Manly Sea Eagles Cornell van der Heijden with wires AFTER a strong season in which a top-four spot at one stage looked likely, the Sea Eagles eventually finished fifth and fell meekly 28-0 in their elimination final against St George-Illawarra. Although Manly was relatively quiet in the transfer market, you don't lose a player of Ben Kennedy's class without some repercussions. Whether through his bone-jarring defence or crafty off loads, Kennedy was always around when it mattered during his two seasons with the Sea Eagles. In Jamie Lyon, the club has secured an altogether different style of player. Once a flying winger for Parramatta Eels, Lyon evolved first to centre, and then to five-eighth, where he played for most of his stint with St Helens. He and Matt Orford must combine well for the Sea Eagles to have any chance of going one better than in 2006 by securing a home final. There's plenty of depth at Brookvale these days and it would be a real shock if Manly didn't make the eight again in 2007. Money Man: Jamie Lyon Quite literally the money man, with the Sea Eagles reportedly splashing out up to $2 million over four years to lure the 24-year-old to Brookvale. It will be money well spent if Lyon matches his efforts of the past two years at St Helens in the English Super League. The big question will be where Lyon plays - centre of five-eighth? One to watch: Anthony Watmough After surging into a New South Wales Origin jumper in early 2005, Watmough has been in a bit of holding pattern the past year and a half. With Ben Kennedy retired, the Sea Eagles will be looking for the barnstorming back rower to take his game to the next level in 2007. With AAP Source: http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/eagles |