Wests Tigers forward Michael Chee Kam ‘rushed to hospital’ after sickening tackle gone wrong

Wests Tigers star Michael Chee Kam was rushed to hospital after convulsing on the field after a terrible head knock against the Eels.

Sickening moment when Michael Chee Kam went down.

Wests Tigers forward Michael Chee Kam has been released from hospital after being knocked out in horrific scenes during his side’s 26-16 loss to the Parramatta Eels on Thursday night.

Having just come onto the field, Chee Kam went low in defence but caught the hip of Shaun Lane and was left on the turf.

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Trainers rushed to Chee Kam’s aid and worked on the star with calls for the stretcher immediately.

Footage from the broadcast showed Chee Kam convulsing on the ground but reports quickly came through that he was sitting up and awake. He was taken to hospital in an ambulance.

Fox League analyst Braith Anasta said it was “scary” as Chee Kam’s head copped the double impact of Lane’s hip and then the ground.

The Tigers confirmed this morning Chee Kam is back at home and will continue to be monitored by the club’s medical staff.

Tiger's Michael Chee Kam taken from field during NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and Wests Tigers at Bankwest Stadium. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Post-match, Tigers coach Michael Maguire said the 28-year-old appeared to be alright before he left for the hospital.

“He’s OK, he spoke to everyone before he left,” he said. “He’s gone to hospital to get checked up but we all feel he’s OK.

“It’s not nice to have one of your players in that sort of position. He’s a great character and all the boys are really fond of him too. They were concerned there I’d imagine but it’s nice to hear he’s OK.”

Maguire said he was proud of the performance from his side after having no players on the bench at one point.

Plenty of fans on social media quick to sent their thoughts to the injured player.

🙏🆙 for @chee_kam. ❤️

Fingers crossed he's okay. #NRLEelsTigers pic.twitter.com/ZdrKQScDer

— Wests Tigers (@WestsTigers) July 23, 2020

Wests Tigers forward Michael Chee-Kam taken to hospital by ambulance after sickening on-field seizure

— Dean Ritchie (@BulldogRitchie) July 23, 2020

Michael Chee Kam rushed to hospital after suffering a seizure on field. Positive sign is he's conscious now. #NRLEelsTigers

— matt (@mattencarnacion) July 23, 2020

Good news Michael Chee Kam is sitting up and talking. Off to hospital for a check-up #NRLEelsTigers

— BUZZ ROTHFIELD (@BuzzRothfield) July 23, 2020

Oh man this game is so hard to watch. Serious head injuries to both teams. Not much fun watching tonight. #NRLEelsTigers

— Anthony Field (@Anthony_Wiggle) July 23, 2020

As an epileptic, convulsions make me extremely uncomfortable. But it’s a timely reminder that if you EVER see anyone like that, roll them onto their side and don’t attempt to put your hands in their mouth, call 000 immediately. #NRL #NRLEelsTigers #epilepsy

— Joshua Wells (@joshuawells93) July 23, 2020

The match was a brutal encounter with the Eels’ Ryan Matterson ruled out of the game after a head injury assessment (HIA) when he bounced out of a tackle on the Tigers’ Russell Packer.

Early in the second half, Tigers fullback Adam Doueihi also appeared in trouble after accidental contact with his own teammate’s boot and didn’t return after being taken off for a HIA.

The brutal match further highlights the growing rivalry between the sides.

On Fox League’s The Late Show with Matty Johns, Eels legend Nathan Hindmarsh said Parramatta withstood an early onslaught from the Tigers.

“This has turned into, which I thought it never would, a real grudge match between these teams,” he said. “They’re both calling Bankwest Stadium home this year, they’ve had some good rivalry in the past but this is turning into something that used to be the Eels vs the Bulldogs in the 80s. It’s a real grudge match, two tribal supporter groups.”

Parramatta's Ryan Matterson knocked out by Tiger's Russell Packer.

On Channel 9, Eels skipper Clint Gutherson also called it a “war zone”.

The Eels came away with the 10-point win, overcoming an early try to Luciano Leilua within the first two minutes.

While Maika Sivo replied immediately after the score, bumping off Doueihi close to the tryline, the Tigers hit straight back through David Nofoaluma.

But then it was all Parramatta as prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard ran 50m to score, before Mitchell Moses scored off a slick chip and chase.

The second half started well for the Eels with Shaun Lane scoring off a grubber, before Maika Sivo scored his second.

The Tigers got a consolation try with less than two to go in the game with Tommy Talau scoring, despite blood gushing from his face.