DOB: 19 October 1961

Played 344 games (1985-1999)

Its difficult to imagine a Brookvale crowd cheering louder for anyone than Steve Menzies. But Cliff Lyons was the man who forced Menzies to play a supporting role in the Sea Eagles' star studded backline.
The five-eighth was at his deadliest when he had room to move and his signature cross-field dash was a regular in Manly's premiership seasons in 1987 and 99.
Lyong started his career with the North Sydney Bears in 1985 but moved to manly after just one season where he played out the rest of his career. In his second year with the club he won the Dally M Medal for Player of the Year. His consistent form throughout 1987 led Manly to a Grand Final where he won the Clive Churchill Medal for a dominant performance in the halves.
His second Dally M in 1990 saw him called up to the Australian Test side for the Kangaroo Tour where he played the first of his six games for the Kangaroos. He also represented NSW in State of Origin when he replaced Brett Kenny for game Two in 1987.
He originally retired in 1998 when Manly did not offer him a new contract but the inspirational leader was recalled to the club following Manly's poor start to the season.
He was 39 years old when he retired in 2001.

Article courtesy of The Daily TelegraphTuesday September 8 2009