Michael Chee Kam: Wests Tigers star stretchered off after medical episode
Michael Chee Kam was rushed to hospital after a terrifying head knock led to the West Tigers forward suffering an on-field seizure which stopped the match, thankfully the news this morning is positive.
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Wests Tigers Michael Chee Kam has been discharged from hospital and is back at home.
He will continue to be monitored by club medical staff after suffering a sickening on-field seizure during his side’s 26-16 loss to Parramatta on Thursday night.
Chee Kam, a Wests Tigers interchange player, began convulsing after attempting a tackle on Parramatta second-rower Shaun Lane in the 27th minute.
His arms and legs were in upheaval as he lay prone on the ground while eight medical staff from both sides worked on the 28-year-old player.
The game was stopped for five minutes before Chee Kam was taken from the field on a Medicab.
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He was conscious minutes later and sitting up in the Wests Tigers dressing room but was taken to nearby Westmead as a precaution.
Chee Kam underwent full scans and was discharged on Friday morning in a promising sign for his recovery.
He will now enter the NRL’s concussion protocol and the Tigers medical staff will continue to monitor him over the weekend.
With backrower Luke Garner scheduled to return for next week’s clash with the Warriors, the Tigers may opt to rest Chee Kam even if he’s recovered in time.
It was a frightening and confronting moment which rocked the crowd while players from both sides clapped Chee Kam from the field.
The score was locked 12-all when Chee Kam was hurt, with his side unable to hold back a rampant Parramatta side.
ðŸ™ðŸ†™ for @chee_kam. â¤ï¸
— Wests Tigers (@WestsTigers) July 23, 2020
Fingers crossed he's okay. #NRLEelsTigers pic.twitter.com/ZdrKQScDer
Thoughts go out to Michael Chee Kam - we hope he is okay!
— Parramatta Eels (@TheParraEels) July 23, 2020
Ryan Matterson has failed his HIA and won't return tonight.
Match Centre: https://t.co/uQBA9BjEZD#PARRAdise
“It wasn’t nice to have one of your players in that position. All the boys were concerned I would imagine. He has gone to hospital to get checked up but he’s OK,” Wests Tigers coach, Michael Maguire said.
Panther star Viliame Kikau tweeted: “Prayers up for Chee Kam.”
And Eels coach Brad Arthur added: “It didn’t look nice, hopefully he is OK.”
A courageous Wests Tigers played virtually the entire second half with just 14 minutes through injuries to Chee Kam, Sam McIntyre (HIA) and Adam Doueihi (HIA).
Doueihi was earlier placed on report for a shoulder charge while teammate Russell Packer was also on report for an alleged crusher tackle.
MATTO’S NIGHTMARE
He walked out his teammates but his side walked away with the competition points.
Thursday night’s match was the first time Parramatta’s Ryan Matterson had played Wests Tigers since quitting one year into a three-season deal.
Forget what the players are saying and will continue to say publicly – there is a genuine dislike for Matterson at Concord.
And it didn’t take long for him to feel the wrath of his former teammates.
In just the second minute of play, Wests Tigers left-edge forward Luciano Leilua stormed over the top of Matterson to score the game’s first try.
And only 15 minutes into the game, Matterson was knocked out when attempting to tackle Packer. He wobbled and staggered before being held up by teammate Blake Ferguson. He did not return to the game.
REG’S MEAT PIE
He looks like Reg Reagan but runs like Reg Gasnier.
Parramatta prop Regan Campbell-Gillard scored one of the great front-row solo tries, running a remarkable 50 metres to slam the ball down.
In the 23rd minute, and before 6403 roaring fans, Campbell-Gillard hit a hole right on halfway and went through, over and past five defenders to score a memorable try, showing remarkable speed and agility.
It prompted the crowd to start chanting ‘RCG, RCG, RCG’.
Parramatta was behind 12-4 at the time, his try sparking a revival.
Campbell-Gillard was unbelievable again, running for 206 metres.
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Fellow Parramatta prop Junior Paulo posted 169 run metres while fullback Clint Gutherson enjoyed three try assists.
“He has been threatening and talking about scoring a try – he has bombed two in the last couple of weeks,” Arthur said.
“He said he wasn’t to get one this week.”
BLAKE IS BACK
Eels halfback Mitch Moses wound the clock back 35 years with a rare yet brilliant chip-and-chase try in the 33rd minute.
It revived memories of the wonderful and exciting exploits of former champion player Phil Blake, who represented Manly, Souths, Warriors, St George and Norths.
With his side deep in attack, Moses noticed Doueihi wasn’t hanging out the back and chipped ahead, regathered and scored under the posts.
It was an art Blake mastered throughout the 1980s.
VICTORIOUS PARRA
After an upset loss to Manly last weekend, Parramatta is back on top of the NRL premiership – for now.
The Eels overcame a 12-4 deficit to overwhelm an injury-riddled Wests Tigers.
Parramatta’s time on top may be brief though with their closest competition rivals expected to win this weekend – Penrith play Gold Coast on Sunday while Melbourne confront Brisbane on Friday night.
“We found a way to win but we still have a bit to work on – it wasn’t great,” Arthur said.
Eels winger Blake Ferguson was denied a late try after showing unbelievable acrobatic skills when trying to ground the ball.
The chant also went up after just ten minutes – Sivo, Sivo, Sivo – after cult figure Maika Sivo crashed over for his side’s opening try. He later scored again.
EELS 26 (Tries: Maika Sivo 2, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Shaun Lane, Mitchell Moses. Goals: Mitchell Moses 3/6) def TIGERS 16 (Tries: Luciano Leilua, David Nofoaluma, Tommy Talau. Goals: Moses Mbye 2/4)
Originally published as Michael Chee Kam: Wests Tigers star stretchered off after medical episode