2 Rookie Promotion - Polak and Roberts it is

[torch]

well, Gourdis would of been a close third i think.

and looks like we were on the money, however, Polak, if we didn't get carried away, would not be promoted.

best of luck Polak and "Flash" Roberts!

 

[Mr Magic]

I wish them both lots of luck.
Hopefully Roberts becomes a player for the future.

[one-eyed]

from today's Herald-Sun....

Mature-aged rookie Graham Polak will cap a remarkable comeback to football.

Polak yesterday told the Herald Sun of his joy at being reinstated to the senior list alongside indigenous forward Relton Roberts.

"I was really excited when I heard the news," Polak said.

"I am really grateful to the club and all the Richmond fans," Polak said.

"I couldn't have got through this difficult time without my family, (fiancee) Alyce and my teammates."

Richmond said yesterday Polak, who missed last week's game against Essendon with a corked leg, was a strong chance to play against Carlton in Round 1.

He said he was ready to repay the club's faith in him.

"I realise every day how lucky I am," Polak said.

"I am feeling the best I have since the accident. Playing AFL footy means everything to me and I am so glad to be doing what I love."

Polak, 25, returned to senior football in Round 21 last year after being hit by a tram in June 2008, then was delisted and drafted again as a mature-aged rookie.

"Graham has worked very hard to get to where he is today and he deserves his spot," football manager Craig Cameron said.

Roberts has thrilled the club since being picked at No. 38 in last year's rookie draft.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/battery-of-tests-for-sick-ben-cousins/story-e6frf9jf-1225841143283

[Owl]

The Ngandi Storm has pulled off a coup!!!    He will be worth the price of admission alone I reckon.

[Smokey]

Roberts is a fair effort - pick #38 in the rookie draft to promoted before Round 1 (and likely to play in that round).  Well done.

Also makes you wonder how many other jewels are out there - with outcomes like this starting to happen regularly there will be much more emphasis placed on trying overlooked mature bodies via the rookie draft, especially in the next couple of compromised years.

[one-eyed]

Roberts gets senior call-up
GREY MORRIS
March 16th, 2010

TERRITORIAN Relton Roberts' transition from NTFL footballer to the biggest sporting stage in Australia was completed yesterday when AFL club Richmond promoted him to its senior list.

Ngukurr-born Roberts, 24, got the good news from Tiger officials minutes after dropping his family at Tullamarine Airport.

"I'm rapt, absolutely stoked," the former Wanderers, Arnhem Crows and Territory Thunder forward told the Northern Territory News last night.

"They told me it was a reward for the amount of hard work I've put in since I got to Melbourne, so it's a big thrill for me and my family to be a league footballer with Richmond."

Roberts' two goals from a forward flank and clever first touch football in the Tigers' final practice match against Essendon at Morwell on Saturday convinced new coach Damien Hardwick the "Ngandi Storm" was made of the right stuff.

Essendon won easily, but Roberts' performance won rave reviewsand prompted Hardwick to call Roberts with the good news.

Roberts got a late call-up in last year's rookie draft when the Tigers used pick No.38 to get him, but he has made every post a winner since with his creativity, elusiveness and clean use of the football.

``Hopefully they'll give me a game in the first game against Carlton next week (March 25),'' an ecstatic Roberts said.

``I can't wait for the first game and I know the rest of the players are, especially at the MCG.''

Wanderers president Steve Olsson said his former player was already a cult figure at Punt Road.

``They swamped him after the Essendon game, everyone wanted to meet him and get his autograph,'' Olsson laughed.

``It's great for Relton and great for Territory football and certainly a bit different to his time in Darwin and Katherine.''

http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2010/03/16/132011_ntsport.html

[smasha]

Thanks one eyed.

[Stripes]

I'm wrapped for Roberts. I thought we had found a star in the making when I saw him at training for the first time. He just stood out for his skills, poise and decision making. I never saw his pace or foot skills at that stage but from all reports here and in the media he has those in abundance too.

I'm excited to have someone of his ability come off the rookie list and slot into our forwardline. He is now offically one of my players to watch this year. 

Stripes