THE emotional grandmother of Test centre Jamie Lyon yesterday launched an extraordinary counter-attack on Peter Sterling, saying: "Leave my grandson alone."

Sterling went public again this week claiming to be "filthy" at Lyon for walking out on Parramatta in 2004.

The former Eels halfback also questioned Lyon's selection in Australia's Tri-Nations squad.

But Lyon's granny, Rae Ashenden, who lives on the Central Coast, rang The Daily Telegraph asking that her family's anger at Sterling be heard.

"Jamie made a mistake, for sure – but hasn't Peter ever made a mistake," Ashenden said.

"Peter has bagged Jamie ever since he left Parramatta. It upsets me and it upsets the family.

"Peter shouldn't hold a grudge for the rest of his life."

Asked was it time for Sterling to leave Lyon alone, Ashenden said: "Just give him a break. Ask Peter has he ever made a mistake."

Ashenden, whose daughter Tracey is Jamie's mother, revealed the reasons why Lyon, the new Manly and Test player, quit Parramatta.

"Just before his last game Jamie's (partner) Ellie was in terrible pain – she had a miscarriage the next day," Rae said. "Jamie stayed at my place the night he left Parramatta.

"I asked him that he carefully consider his future.

"Within the next 12 months he knew he had made a mistake.

"Jamie was upset at the time. He'd just had enough. When he was 16, they (Parramatta) put him in a Catholic school. He's not Catholic.

"He had to wear a suit and tie. He's not that sort of a boy. But he stuck it out for a few years."

Lyon denied being hurt by Sterling's comments – but Ashenden is not so sure.

"I think deep down he is," she said.

"He can be a silly boy at times. But most of the time he is a sensible boy.

"Peter said he went straight to England after Parramatta. That is wrong. He didn't. Jamie had 12 months playing in Wee Waa."

Lyon will play for St Helens against Hull in this weekend's Super League grand final before flying to Australia to join his Tri-Nations teammates.

Sterling first told of his frustration at Lyon's decision in The Sunday Telegraph last April.

This week Sterling stressed Lyon should not have been chosen in the Tri-Nations Test side.

"I'm filthy on Jamie Lyon," Sterling told guests at a charity golf day.

"Jamie Lyon dudded Parramatta like you wouldn't believe. He got $125,000 for an off-season and one game. No, I don't want him in the Test side and I don't want him back in the NRL."

Lyon told news agencies in England he did not respect Sterling.

"I've heard about them. I don't worry too much about them," Lyon said. "He doesn't really do much for me, he's not someone that I really look up to or listen to."

Asked who she supported, Ashenden said: "I never thought it would happen but I will barrack for Manly now."

Originally published as Hey Sterlo, leave my Jamie alone