Jamie Lyon will retire at the end of the season.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Manly had organised a rousing press conference where they planned to announce Lyon’s retirement, with current and former teammates in attendance alongside board members, staff, family, friends and the club’s owners.

Instead, on Wednesday Lyon went out his own way. In his usual, humble style. In front of six print journos in a low-key media session at Narrabeen. Even Manly officials didn’t know it was happening.

Yet rather than deflect or dodge questions about his future, Lyon told the truth. Crash, bang, he was retiring after this season. It was an unexpected scoop.

Sea Eagles officials went into meltdown. Their grand plans had been thwarted by the honesty of a humble bloke from rural Wee Waa. You don’t tell fibs in the Aussie bush.

“We wanted to make the announcement special. But that’s just Jamie, he did it his way,” Manly official Peter Peters said.

Lyon, 34, still has that country twang. On the field he is sharp, off it he travels at Wee Waa pace. But, boy, the bloke can play. And he will be sorely missed at Brookvale.

He won two grand finals, contested three more and played two World Club Challenges. He has played 285 NRL games for 181 wins, crossed for 120 tries and scored 1504 points over 16 seasons. Soon, there will be just two players left from Manly’s famous 2008 grand final-winning side — Brett Stewart and Steve Matai..

Manly captain Jamie Lyon holds the NRL Premiership trophy at the end of the 2011 Grand FinalSource:News Limited

Jamie Lyon announces his retirement from the NRL at the end of the 2016 season. Picture: Brett CostelloSource:News Corp Australia

Lyon had thought about playing on but admitted “the time had come.”

“Manly fans can now savour every minute that Jamie plays with us,” Peters said. “He’s just a great bloke.”

Lyon still arrives at his side’s captains run at Brookvale with his three young kids (Riley, Jed and Ava), who play on the sidelines with Dad leads his side through their paces.

“I sort of knew it was time. I have been playing for a long time now,” Lyon said.

“Yeah, the body is a little bit ‘achy’ and hard to get up for. I have had a good run and I’m really looking forward to the end of the season. I’ve probably been thinking about it since last season, a little bit here and there.

Lyon made headlines when he walked out on the Eels in 2004.Source:News Limited

“’Baz’ (Barrett) wanted me to hang around and play another year. I wanted to but, the body and mind, I know it’s the right time. I want to play well for the boys and the club for the rest of the season and get as many wins as we can. I want to play some good footy.

“I will sit back with my family and reflect a little bit. But I still have a bit to do this year, get into the finals and hopefully give it a shake.”

A former Parramatta and St Helens star, Lyon told Manly teammates of his impending retirement in a team meeting before the bus left Newcastle’s Novotel Hotel for Hunter Stadium last Sunday.

Jamie Lyon hits the ball up for Manly in 2012.Source:News Limited

“It was a pretty emotional time, ‘Baz’ (coach Trent Barrett) got a bit teary,” Matai said. “I will be sad to see my centre partner go. He’s a massive loss for the club. ‘Killer’ is a champion fella, and one of the best players I have played with. It’s up to us to send him out the best way we know and that’s by hopefully by giving him a (premiership) ring. I was always Killer’s other centre. And I loved that.”

Lyon debuted in a round 21 match against Wests Tigers at Parramatta Stadium on June 25, 2000.

Jamie Lyon gets away from Matt Sing and Brent Tate while playing for NSW. Picture: Gregg PorteousSource:News Limited