Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire has hailed his team’s commitment after pushing Parramatta despite playing most of the second half with 14 fit players.
The Tigers are waiting to find out about the health of Michael Chee Kam on Friday after he suffered seizures in the first half of Thursday’s 26-16 loss to Parramatta.
Chee Kam was taken to hospital in stable condition after convulsing following his attempted tackles on Eels second-rower Shaun Lane.
Fullback Adam Doueihi and Sam McIntyre both also had to undergo concussion tests in the second half, with McIntyre eventually returning to the field.
However front-rower Oliver Clark also came from the field for treatment to his groin, leaving Maguire without a replacement at one stage in the second half.
The scores were locked at 12-all when Chee Kam went down, with Parramatta then reeling off the next three tries to claim the victory.
Maguire denied Chee Kam’s exit rattled his men.
“I think it went the other way,” he said.
“As much as we don’t like falling short in the game, I was actually really proud of the players tonight.”
He said their determination to stick with the Eels as long as they did was exactly the type of fight he is looking to instil at the club.
“The way they fought, and they represented the Wests Tigers jersey, is exactly what we’ve been talking about,” he said.
“There was a lot going on in that game.
“At one stage I had no one on the bench. I had a few getting patched up and trying to work out whether or not they were in the centres or in the middle.
“I was proud of the group, but those sorts of games, are the ones the boys are learning how to play now. Obviously (Parramatta are) a top team.
“To go and fight to the end and still keep fighting the way we have, what we showed, it what the jersey’s all about.”