Lyon is let off the hook
By Josh Massoud
May 16, 2007
JAMIE Lyon was last night cleared to play for New South Wales - but will have to wait until this morning to ring Eric Grothe Jr and thank him for his help.
In support of Lyon's quest to beat a dangerous throw charge and play in next Wednesday's series opener, Grothe was to be cross-examined over the phone at last night's hearing.
But in an unexpected twist on a crucial hearing for the Blues, the errant Parramatta star had his phone switched off when Lyon's counsel attempted to summon him to give evidence.
Luckily for NSW, Lyon will join Queensland lock Dallas Johnson - also cleared to play last night - after escaping on a technicality despite the fact Grothe could not be raised.
To the astonishment of the panel, a female with a slight English accent answered Grothe's mobile as Lyon dialled for corroborating evidence on the judiciary's speaker phone.
"The Vodafone you have called is switched off," the voice said.
"Please try again later."
It was not the first time in Grothe's career that he had gone missing in action - the winger also turned up late and worse for wear to last season's City team camp.
But there was hangover for Lyon last night.
Thanks to some swift legal argument from his counsel Geoff Bellew SC, Lyon was freed to play after a glitch was exposed in the charge.
After being convinced Lyon did not lift Grothe - as per the particulars of the charge - the three-man panel had no option but to dismiss the case and declare the Manly centre free to play.
"It's big and I can't wait to get out there," Lyon said.
"I was confident without being over confident - still at the bottom of your gut you are a bit worried."
Had he known Grothe's mobile phone would get cold feet, Lyon might well have been more nervous.
Grothe did submit a statement to the panel suggesting he was not lifted by Lyon.
But NRL counsel Peter Kite quickly pointed out Grothe's inability to give supporting oral evidence at the hearing reduced the significance of his written statement.
Ironically, had Lyon been unsuccessful Grothe was rated an even-money chance to be drafted into the backline.
"Unfortunately we couldn't get hold of him, but he made a statement which was very good of him and I thank him for it," Lyon said.
Grothe remained unavailable for comment late last night.
Kite had earlier argued the charge should be upheld because Lyon had used his body as a "fulcrum" to place Grothe into a dangerous position. But Bellew pointed out that Lyon's charge specified a dangerous throw generated from a conventional "lift" rather than leverage.
Judiciary chairman Greg Wood effectively agreed with Bellew, directing the panel: "Unless there's evidence that one of the players on Mr Lyon's team lifted Mr Grothe in the normal sense of the word, then the case is not made out."