Polak thread [merged]

[one-eyed]

By media reports wrong place wrong time. It happened on the corner of Dandenong and Orrong Rds near where he apparently lives.

He wasn't alone according to the footy show. He was with Hughes and another Tiger. Both have required counselling.

[Moi]

Hughes and McMahon were with him

[Hellenic Tiger]

Its irrelevant now who was with him.
All I hope is that Graham will be okay first and foremost and his injuries will heal over time.
All the best big fella 

[one-eyed]

Polak's playing future in doubt after tram accident
ABC
Posted 18 minutes ago | Updated 6 minutes ago

Richmond footballer Graham Polak has suspected brain injuries and his playing future is in doubt after he was hit by a tram in Melbourne last night.

Richmond says Polak's condition has improved but he remains in an induced coma at The Alfred Hospital.

Polak was crossing the intersection of Orrong and Dandenong roads at Armadale about 11.30pm (AEST) on Saturday when he was hit.

He was with a group of people including team-mates Cleve Hughes and Jordan McMahon.

Ambulance officers were forced to insert a tube to assist Polak's breathing.

Club doctor Greg Hickey says the 24-year-old has suffered a brain injury and his immediate playing future is now in doubt.

"Really it's gonna depend on how he wakes up and the first couple of days," Dr Hickey said.

"Obviously he's going to be in hospital for some time.

"Hopefully he might just end up in a normal general ward, and then whether he'll need a period of rehabilitation after that in some sort of other facility I'm not sure."

However, scans on Sunday morning showed no extra swelling to Polak's brain.

"He has got bruising on the brain - initially it was of great concern. Fortunately, through the night he has improved," Dr Hickey said.

Richmond football manager Greg Miller says Polak's partner Alycle and his Tiger team-mates were told of the accident on Saturday night.

Polak's parents are due to arrive from Perth today, along with his partner's parents.

Richmond captain Matthew Richardson says the accident is a shock.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/29/2289003.htm?section=sport

[one-eyed]

Polak's manager coming up now on SEN

[Moi]

Graham Polak’s manager Paul Connors says his family have just arrived from Perth. 

Tried to wake him up.  He’s still in the induced coma and that’s the best thing for him so the swelling can heal.  Lot better than last night.

A couple of the players told him that a young man helped him on the scene doing all the first aid stuff, and the players were grateful to him.  They think they know who he is and in time will contact him I think.

Has a broken rib from the game.

The windscreen was damaged so a big impact.

Just spoke to his mum and she was very emotional and just going in to see Graham.

Similar to when he had to see Jason McCartney – both his players – both in induced comas.

Jordon witnessed it and said it was just a freak accident.

[one-eyed]

Paul Connors (Polly's manager):

* In Alfred hospital - family members have arrived.

* They tried to wake him up but he still wasn't great (although better) so they decided he's better off to remain in an induced coma so the healing process can take its natural course. He's in an improved state compared to last night.

* A young man helped Polly on the scene and did first aid.

* Polly has a broken rib but they think that was from yesterday's game when he got hit. It's more about the brain now  .

* Jordy was in the cab with his wife. He said he saw it unfold before his eyes and it was a freak accident. One of things that happens. Cleve was with Polly and was very lucky himself.

[WilliamPowell]

l hope he recovers his full health  football is not important at this time

Absolutely agree

Graham's health is the only thing that matters at the moment

[the_boy_jake]

Thats stuffed.

Get well big fella. 

[richmondrules]

I've been avoiding football since yesterday's game and had heaps to do today so I haven't looked at the paper. Just decided to sit down and have a look and this is the first thing I see. What an absolute shocker!

Hope your OK Graham, get well quickly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Hope to see you in the Yellow and Black again.

[Ox]

he'll be fine.
could have done without it.

[Tigertailz]

This has been a topic of how and why in our house today.
I used to live on that corner..............sh1tloads of prangs and tram related incidents there over the years although they have improved the tramstops along dandenong rd with safety railings and there are speed / redlight cameras city bound at that intersection too.
Long day for polak yesterday particularly after a fairly hefty knock during the game and who knows if he had a drink or 2 after the game........sounds like a momenetary lapse of concentration after being dropped off....wish him and his family all the best...

[one-eyed]

Graham Polak hit by tram at Armadale
The Australian
June 29, 2008

DOCTORS hope to bring Richmond's Graham Polak out of an induced coma today after he was hit and badly injured by a tram in Melbourne.

The accident last night left the AFL defender with bruising on the brain and a spokesperson for The Alfred hospital said Polak's condition was critical, but stable.

Polak, 24, was crossing the intersection of Orrong and Dandenong roads at Armadale around 11pm when he was struck.

While his condition has improved, Richmond club doctor Greg Hickey said Polak would be in hospital “for some time”.

Team-mates Cleve Hughes and Jordan McMahon were with Polak at the time of the accident.

Hickey said Polak's condition had improved overnight and he was trying to move his limbs.

“The latest scan, which was done not that long ago, show there hasn't been any significant change in the situation,” Hickey said.

He said there had been no extra swelling, which was an encouraging sign. Dr Hickey earlier said Polak had swelling on the brain.

“Initially, they were planing to keep him in an induced coma for two to three days,” he said.

“Now the hope is they will be weaning things off this morning, and hopefully he will wake up ... and we will have a clearer picture of where he's at.

“Things are a bit more positive now than they were a few hours ago.”

Polak's parents are travelling from Perth to be with their son, while his partner Alycle (Alycle) and Richmond team-mates were told last night of the accident.

Although Polak's condition is improving, he will not play again this season and his AFL career is in doubt.

“In terms of footy, it is unquestionable. He won't play this season - longer term beyond that, we'll just have to wait and see,” Hickey said.

“He's certainly been moving all his limbs, which is a good sign.

“It's not like there are signs he is paralysed in any of his limbs. Probably the hardest thing to gauge at this stage is more his intellectual recovery, whether he will regain that - time will tell.”

Richmond football manager Greg Miller said it was unclear if alcohol played a role in the accident.

“I'm unaware of that, it's not a concern for us at the moment,” he said.

Polak has played 11 games for Richmond this season for a career total of 106 and was part of the team that lost to Carlton yesterday at the MCG.

Tiger veteran Matthew Richardson said: “It's a shock, but I don't know any details at this stage”.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,24897,23941022-601,00.html

[one-eyed]

Richmond's Polak critical but stable
The Age
June 29, 2008 - 3:23PM

Richmond AFL player Graham Polak remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital after the AFL defender was hit by a Melbourne tram.

His club released an update on Sunday afternoon, saying Polak remained in an induced coma at The Alfred hospital and his condition was not expected to change overnight.

Polak's mother and three brothers flew from Perth.

"The thoughts of everyone at the club are with his family and partner Alyce at this time," the club statement read.

"The club should be in a position to make a further statement (Monday) but at the moment, Graham's condition is expected to remain unchanged throughout the night.

"Graham has suffered bruising to the brain and is being kept in a medically induced coma."

The statements said the club would not be commenting further until (Monday)."

http://news.theage.com.au/sport/richmonds-polak-critical-but-stable-20080629-2ym9.html

[tigersalive]

yeah very sad..heard he should be fine..
dangerous intersection princess hwy/chapel street.

does anyone know if he was intoxicated or just a case of wrong place at the wrong time..

Brown said he was not under the influence on MMM.


Polak has not seen the tram coming as he came out from a tree line and the collision happened apparently. 

Hughes was also present but unsure where he was when it happened, McMahon was in a taxi.

They have both been offered counselling.


Sad.    Let's hope he'll be out of the induced coma soon as the brain bruising subsides and can make a complete recovery.