Phooey Phooey for FuiFui

Parramatta prop Fuifui Moimoi will miss the Eels' push for National Rugby League glory after the club failed to appeal his nine-week suspension for a high tackle.

NRL judiciary chairman Judge Greg Woods dashed the interchange forward's hopes of figuring in todays preliminary final against North Queensland and the October 2 grand final ? should the minor premiers get past the Cowboys.

Moimoi was handed a nine-week suspension for a grade two reckless high tackle on Brisbane's Berrick Barnes on September 2 with the penalty handed down at the NRL judiciary on September 7.

Parramatta, who lodged an appeal last Tuesday, had hoped a previously unseen camera angle of the incident would help Moimoi's cause but Woods could not be swayed after watching video footage and two newspaper photographs of the impact.

"It seems to me very clear indeed that the decision by the panel in the first instance was correct," Judge Woods said in a statement.

Moimoi had claimed he did not connect with the head of Barnes though the new evidence indicated the opposite, weakening his case.

"At no stage was Mr Moimoi's large and powerful arm going anywhere else (than the head). . .. and every player has a special duty to avoid unnecessary forceful contact with the head or neck of an opposing player," Judge Woods added.

Moimoi had been named on an extended bench by Eels coach Brian Smith but will now watch proceedings from the stands at Aussie Stadium.