A lack of passion was the reason given by Country coach Laurie Daley for overlooking Manly co-captain Jamie Lyon for Friday's clash with City in Albury.

Lyon provided a written request to be exempt from representative football - which would have been accepted had it been submitted on time.

But as the letter reached the NSWRL too late, the light-footed right centre was available to be picked by Daley to partner Josh Morris against City duo Michael Jennings and Beau Champion.

"(But) I didn't want to pick players who don't want to be a part of it," Daley explained.

"And I'm not saying that in a disrespectful way to Jamie, (but) I want people to play in this jersey and be proud of where they're from, but also knowing that there's a State of Origin position up for grabs.

"And if someone is unsure about whether they want to play, I just don't think they'll be ready to give me 100 per cent and this game is a fair dinkum game and that's the way it will be promoted.

"And I need players that will be committed to the cause."

When reminded that Lyon had previously tried to retire from NSW duties before changing his mind and declaring his love for the jersey again, Daley confirmed that this time he believed the 29-year-old.

"He was unsure at that time whether he wanted to play or not, but all the indications are now that he has had enough of representative football," Daley added.

ARL chief executive Geoff Carr confirmed that while Lyon was overlooked by Daley for Country, he remained eligible to be called up for both NSW and Australia this year as his paperwork was not delivered on time.

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