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By Dean Ritchie
August 08, 2006
MANLY prop Brent Kite has emerged from his week of hell to declare: "I want to play against Newcastle on Friday."
Kite was a shock starter at training yesterday, as Manly continued its countdown to the match against Newcastle at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
There were genuine fears last week that Kite could be sidelined for up to six weeks after suffering a sickening blow to the head 12 days ago against Parramatta.
The incident saw Eels prop Fuifui Moimoi suspended for seven matches after knocking Kite unconscious for three minutes.
But Kite trained lightly yesterday - providing a sight to enthuse Sea Eagles fans - and he will undergo further tests during the week in a bid to play.
Provided he passes the tests and does not encounter further headaches, the New South Wales prop will be declared fit to play against the Knights.
"I did some rehab work today and felt good," Kite said.
"Obviously I have to meet the strict guidelines set down by the club.
"They'll let me know later in the week if I'm OK to play, but I feel good.
"Obviously I'd love to play. It's a big game for us and I want to be out there. It was a tough week."
Manly doctor Paul Bloomfield said the club would keep a close watch on Kite this week.
Kite will undergo a CogSport test - a computerised test that monitors players' reaction times.
"He will train today and tomorrow and then we'll conduct a CogSport test," Bloomfield said.
"If he shows no symptoms from training and the test goes well then he should be right to play again by the weekend."
Manly forward Steve Menzies said he and teammates were ecstatic to see Kite back at training.
"It was a bit scary when he was out cold for so long," Menzies said.
"But Kitey was there today at training, which was great to see.
"I don't know how he would have been though if we played last week (Manly had the bye).
"Ben Kennedy has been great for us, but Kitey has also been one of our best forwards this season.
"Friday night is a tough game, and it starts a tough run into the finals for us. It is so important we get the two points against the Knights."
Menzies himself returns for the match from a broken hand.
Manly also hope to welcome back injured stars Anthony Watmough and Brett Stewart.
The return of Manly's big guns have the Sea Eagles at full strength for the match.
"The hand feels good," Menzies said.
"I did a little bit of ball work today, that's something I haven't done in four weeks.
"I'm ready to go."
Manly and Newcastle both have to play Melbourne and the Bulldogs in the final four rounds.
A win over South Sydney, Manly's other match, will take the Sea Eagles to 28 points - enough to secure a finals position.
But losses to Storm and Dogs would consign Manly to eighth spot and a first-up finals road trip to Melbourne.
"We finished eighth last year and were knocked out straight away so we'd love to finish a lot higher this season," Menzies said.
Manly's hopes of nailing a top-four spot demand a victory over Newcastle at home, and strong men such as Kite.
The Knights comfortably accounted for Manly at Brookvale, 26-12, in round 17, snapping a four-game losing streak.
August 08, 2006
MANLY prop Brent Kite has emerged from his week of hell to declare: "I want to play against Newcastle on Friday."
Kite was a shock starter at training yesterday, as Manly continued its countdown to the match against Newcastle at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
There were genuine fears last week that Kite could be sidelined for up to six weeks after suffering a sickening blow to the head 12 days ago against Parramatta.
The incident saw Eels prop Fuifui Moimoi suspended for seven matches after knocking Kite unconscious for three minutes.
But Kite trained lightly yesterday - providing a sight to enthuse Sea Eagles fans - and he will undergo further tests during the week in a bid to play.
Provided he passes the tests and does not encounter further headaches, the New South Wales prop will be declared fit to play against the Knights.
"I did some rehab work today and felt good," Kite said.
"Obviously I have to meet the strict guidelines set down by the club.
"They'll let me know later in the week if I'm OK to play, but I feel good.
"Obviously I'd love to play. It's a big game for us and I want to be out there. It was a tough week."
Manly doctor Paul Bloomfield said the club would keep a close watch on Kite this week.
Kite will undergo a CogSport test - a computerised test that monitors players' reaction times.
"He will train today and tomorrow and then we'll conduct a CogSport test," Bloomfield said.
"If he shows no symptoms from training and the test goes well then he should be right to play again by the weekend."
Manly forward Steve Menzies said he and teammates were ecstatic to see Kite back at training.
"It was a bit scary when he was out cold for so long," Menzies said.
"But Kitey was there today at training, which was great to see.
"I don't know how he would have been though if we played last week (Manly had the bye).
"Ben Kennedy has been great for us, but Kitey has also been one of our best forwards this season.
"Friday night is a tough game, and it starts a tough run into the finals for us. It is so important we get the two points against the Knights."
Menzies himself returns for the match from a broken hand.
Manly also hope to welcome back injured stars Anthony Watmough and Brett Stewart.
The return of Manly's big guns have the Sea Eagles at full strength for the match.
"The hand feels good," Menzies said.
"I did a little bit of ball work today, that's something I haven't done in four weeks.
"I'm ready to go."
Manly and Newcastle both have to play Melbourne and the Bulldogs in the final four rounds.
A win over South Sydney, Manly's other match, will take the Sea Eagles to 28 points - enough to secure a finals position.
But losses to Storm and Dogs would consign Manly to eighth spot and a first-up finals road trip to Melbourne.
"We finished eighth last year and were knocked out straight away so we'd love to finish a lot higher this season," Menzies said.
Manly's hopes of nailing a top-four spot demand a victory over Newcastle at home, and strong men such as Kite.
The Knights comfortably accounted for Manly at Brookvale, 26-12, in round 17, snapping a four-game losing streak.
