Kite's season takes a dive
By Dean Ritchie
August 1, 2006
CONCUSSED Manly prop Brent Kite is resting in a darkened room with doctors fearing he could be sidelined until the finals after a high tackle that has Parramatta's Fuifui Moimoi facing a 10-game ban.
The NRL has requested a medical report from Manly doctor Paul Bloomfield on Kite's condition.
Bloomfield revealed yesterday Kite's concussion was so severe the representative prop may not return until week two of the NRL finals in September.
"Brent was unconscious for three minutes. It is significant concussion," he said. "He is resting and improving but we will have to monitor him.
"He is still having headaches and is sluggish and tired. Brent will have to complete a neuro-psych test, which will show any memory loss.
"This test will also show his reactive time and response time," added Dr Bloomfield.
Moimoi was sent off for the tackle during Parramatta's 31-18 win over Manly at Parramatta Stadium last Saturday night.
He has been charged with a grade three reckless high tackle and will be suspended for seven games with an early plea or 10 games if he contest the charge and loses.
"I don't remember anything but from what I've been told I'm lucky not to have a broken jaw or any head fractures," Kite said yesterday.
By accepting a seven-match ban, Moimoi would not be back until week three of the finals, provided Parramatta is still in premiership race by then.
The loss of robust Moimoi for such a lengthy spell will be a body-blow to the Eels, who have won in six outings. Parramatta officials will decide today whether to plead guilty.
Bloomfield said only time will tell whether Kite recovers in time to play in Manly's next game. The Sea Eagles have the bye this weekend.
"It will depend on his ongoing symptoms," Bloomfield said.
"Potentially, it could be three, four, six weeks. Luke Williamson was out for between six to eight weeks toward the end of last season."
Moimoi missed the Eels' finals last year after being suspended for nine weeks, also for a high tackle.
It was his second suspension in his debut year at Parramatta after also missing five games for a previous high shot.
New Zealand Warriors prop Ruben Wiki and Sydney Roosters back Amos Roberts were also charged by the match review committee yesterday.
Wiki will miss one match with an early guilty plea to his grade three careless high tackle while Roberts is facing a two-match ban regardless of whether he pleads guilty or contests a grade one dangerous throw charge.
