Manly Sea Eagles co-captain Jamie Lyon is concerned the premiers might suffer from the same World Club Challenge hangover that derailed St George Illawarra's quest for back-to-back titles last year.
There is an ominous parallel between Manly's approaching start to the NRL season and the 2011 start to the year for the Dragons, who fizzled out at the end of the year after producing the best start to a season in the club's history.
The Dragons started their premiership defence in England with the World Club Challenge, before travelling to the Gold Coast, New Zealand, Cronulla and Newcastle in the opening four weeks of the competition. Manly has a near identical start to its campaign, away from Brookvale for its opening five rounds as it kicks off the 2012 season in New Zealand, Gosford, Cronulla and Kogarah.
While traditionally most NRL teams have struggled in the early rounds of the competition after competing in the World Club Challenge, Lyon believes the gruelling schedule could take its toll on the team in the second half of the season.
''There is a big chance it will,'' Lyon said. ''If you look at our start to the season, we have a horror run. We're away for five or six weeks, so it's going to be tough. Sunday afternoon in New Zealand then backing up five days later in Gosford on a Friday night. We definitely have got our challenges there, so hopefully we don't get too many injuries and our recovery is top class.''
While there is every chance fatigue could settle in and hamper Geoff Toovey's men's attempt to become the first team since the Brisbane Broncos in 1992-93 to win consecutive titles, Lyon isn't complaining about the opportunity the World Club Challenge presents.
Having played in England and been part of a previous World Club Challenge campaign, Lyon knows the challenges the pre-season trip throws up. But the veteran centre put the onus back on the playing group to do its part to ensure it comes out of it in top form.
''You're out of your comfort zone and you're out of your normal preparations for the season, and that can be tough,'' Lyon said.
''You've just got to deal with it. You definitely would love to have the choice to go over there on the back of a premiership. It's going to take its toll but we just have to get through the first few games of the season and then hopefully we're in good shape when we're back at home.''
.gif)
