If Eels make it so will Moimoi
July 31, 2006
EELS prop Fuifui Moimoi may be free to play before the finals, despite being sent off for his latest tackling indiscretion in Saturday night's win over Manly at Parramatta.
In a further boost to the Eels hopes of making the finals, Moimoi is unlikely to receive a punishment as severe as the nine-match suspension that prematurely ended his season last year when he unsuccessfully challenged a grade-two reckless high tackle charge.
While the 50th-minute tackle that forced Sea Eagles front-rower Brent Kite from the field may also be classified as reckless, it did not appear as bad and Moimoi's clean record since also means he will receive less loading on the penalty meted out today when the match review committee studies weekend incidents, including a high tackle by Warriors prop Ruben Wiki.
Had Moimoi not had any judiciary problems in the previous two years, he would have received only a three-match suspension for the tackle in round 26 of last year's competition, as the base penalty for a grade-two reckless high shot is 350 demerit points, with each 100 points equating to a one-game ban.
Each similar offence carries a 50 per cent loading, while non-similar offences carry 20 per cent loading, and Moimoi had another charge last year for which he was found guilty of a grade-five careless high tackle that will add to his latest penalty.
However, with a grade-one reckless high tackle worth a base penalty of 300 demerit points, Moimoi, who has 11 carry-over points, would be able to escape with a four-match suspension even after his 100 per cent loading is added if he pleads guilty and, therefore, receives a 25 per cent discount.
Such a penalty would enable Moimoi to return for Parramatta's last premiership game, against North Queensland in Townsville.
He would also be available for New Zealand in the Tri-Nations. With Wiki's poor judiciary record and the Warriors out of finals contention, the Kiwis may be looking for a prop in the opening match against Australia in Auckland on October 14.
Moimoi was chosen to make his Test debut against Great Britain last month but the Eels refused to release him.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/if-eels-make-it-so-will-moimoi/2006/07/30/1154198012196.html