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Moimoi cops nine weeks
By James Hooper
September 8, 2005
PARRAMATTA'S premiership credentials were dealt another harsh blow last night when strike forward Fuifui Moimoi was suspended for nine weeks for a reckless tackle on Brisbane rookie Berrick Barnes.
The Eels prop was found guilty of a grade two reckless high shot from last Friday night's victory over the Broncos, meaning Moimoi will miss the rest of this season along with the opening of next year.
Parramatta chief executive Denis Fitzgerald described the Eels as "very disappointed" over the ousting of Moimoi, suggesting the club might seek to appeal against the lengthy suspension today.
Despite a series of freeze-frame pictures submitted by Eels football manager Tony Zappia in Moimoi's defence, the three-man judiciary panel of Mal Cochrane, Royce Ayliffe and Darrell Williams still found in favour of the NRL.
NRL prosecutor Peter Kite told the hearing Moimoi forced the head of Barnes to "violently jerk to the left" but the Eels forward remained adamant about his innocence.
The Eels refused to buy into the fact the hearing was tinged with controversy because there was only one side on video angle of the incident available, robbing the judiciary of a front-on view of the tackle.
In an unusual occurrence, NRL prosecutor Kite was forced to repeat several questions to Moimoi after the Eels forward claimed he was having difficulty understanding.
Speaking in broken English, Moimoi said of the incident: "If I know I hit him on his head I would not come here."
Moimoi's attempt to get the charge downgraded failed but the club is expected to challenge the verdict by seeking leave to appeal today.
"The club is very disappointed in regard to the decision of the judiciary," Fitzgerald said. "We certainly don't think the case had been proven on the images of the video that had been shown.
"We're considering our options in regard to seeking leave to appeal."
The loss of Moimoi comes at the worst possible time for minor premiers Parramatta who are already missing NSW Origin star Nathan Hindmarsh with a knee injury.
Parramatta coach Brian Smith must now tinker with his interchange bench, one of the most effective in the NRL, leading into Sunday's final against Manly at Parramatta Stadium.
By James Hooper
September 8, 2005
PARRAMATTA'S premiership credentials were dealt another harsh blow last night when strike forward Fuifui Moimoi was suspended for nine weeks for a reckless tackle on Brisbane rookie Berrick Barnes.
The Eels prop was found guilty of a grade two reckless high shot from last Friday night's victory over the Broncos, meaning Moimoi will miss the rest of this season along with the opening of next year.
Parramatta chief executive Denis Fitzgerald described the Eels as "very disappointed" over the ousting of Moimoi, suggesting the club might seek to appeal against the lengthy suspension today.
Despite a series of freeze-frame pictures submitted by Eels football manager Tony Zappia in Moimoi's defence, the three-man judiciary panel of Mal Cochrane, Royce Ayliffe and Darrell Williams still found in favour of the NRL.
NRL prosecutor Peter Kite told the hearing Moimoi forced the head of Barnes to "violently jerk to the left" but the Eels forward remained adamant about his innocence.
The Eels refused to buy into the fact the hearing was tinged with controversy because there was only one side on video angle of the incident available, robbing the judiciary of a front-on view of the tackle.
In an unusual occurrence, NRL prosecutor Kite was forced to repeat several questions to Moimoi after the Eels forward claimed he was having difficulty understanding.
Speaking in broken English, Moimoi said of the incident: "If I know I hit him on his head I would not come here."
Moimoi's attempt to get the charge downgraded failed but the club is expected to challenge the verdict by seeking leave to appeal today.
"The club is very disappointed in regard to the decision of the judiciary," Fitzgerald said. "We certainly don't think the case had been proven on the images of the video that had been shown.
"We're considering our options in regard to seeking leave to appeal."
The loss of Moimoi comes at the worst possible time for minor premiers Parramatta who are already missing NSW Origin star Nathan Hindmarsh with a knee injury.
Parramatta coach Brian Smith must now tinker with his interchange bench, one of the most effective in the NRL, leading into Sunday's final against Manly at Parramatta Stadium.
