Polak thread [merged]

[Penelope]

Placebo? interesting choice of words.

they absorb enough impact to notice the difference.

can tell you that a knock to head without a helmet knocks you about a lot more than one with it.

it's simialr to the difference between getting kicked in the shins with or without shin guards on.

[Ox]

If i smashed a bloke with shin guards on in the shins ,with a baseball bat,the shinguards would make a difference.

If i smashed a guy in the head with the same force,with the same baseball bat and he was wearing head gear,I would nearly kill him.

[Penelope]

not true, the shin guards would not make a difference either, you would shatter his shin anyway.

not sure where you hide the baseball bat when on the footy field though.

[matrightyeh]

lol thats for sure

[Ox]

not true, the shin guards would not make a difference either, you would shatter his shin anyway.

not sure where you hide the baseball bat when on the footy field though.

I dunno...it was just a thought.

[mightytiges]

Polak considers retirement
By Kim Hagdorn
Sports News First
17 June 2011 02:45PM EST

FORMER Richmond utility Graham Polak could retire almost exactly three years on from a near-death experience when he was hit by a Melbourne tram.

The popular Tiger and original Fremantle Dockers key position big man suffered another serious concussion bout playing with East Perth in the WAFL last week and is considering his future this weekend.

Results of his scans and medical advice approaching the weekend will determine his fate.

He had a series of brain scans early this week and is understood to be still suffering from head-aches and dizziness which is prompting his family and close associates to call for his retirement.

He was knocked unconscious when his head hit the ground after a marking contest.

Polak was unconscious for almost three minutes as club medical staff attended him after the tumble when he also hit his head on the ground.

He spent his 27th birthday on Thursday considering his future and whether to attempt another comeback from his latest serious concussion when training resumes next week after the interstate game.

http://www.sportsnewsfirst.com.au/articles/2011/06/17/polak-considers-retirement/

Quality of life is more important than 2-3 more years of playing footy. All the best to Polly. 

[one-eyed]

Polak set to quit
By Russell Reid
The West Australian
June 24, 2011

A meeting with specialists in Melbourne next week is expected to signal the end of Graham Polak's courageous football career.

The high-profile East Perth recruit was unconscious for three minutes after hitting his head when landing heavily in the match against Subiaco at Medibank Stadium on June 11.

Concerned players from both sides immediately signalled for assistance.

It was the latest in a series of head knocks for Polak in a career spanning 111 AFL games for Fremantle and Richmond, and 28 WAFL matches with East Fremantle and the Royals.

East Perth football manager Mark Winnett said the club would support the 27-year-old whatever decision he made.

"Once Graham gets information and advice from his specialist, we will know a lot more about where he is at," Winnett said yesterday.

"I would say he is very unlikely to play footy but Graham wants to go and do what he needs to do before any decisions are made and we will support him through all of that.

"We want to make sure whatever decision he makes is 100 per cent right on all the advice he gets."

Read more at: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/-/afl/9700834/polak-set-to-quit/

[one-eyed]

Former Tiger and Docker Graham Polak retires from football

    Glenn McFarlane
    From: Sunday Herald Sun
    July 17, 2011

INJURY-plagued former Tiger and Docker Graham Polak has announced his retirement from football.

In an exclusive feature on Channel 7's Game Day, Polak said the fears of suffering further concussions and the anxiety of his family and friends had led him to make the decision.

"I just want to announce that I have had an eventful career, I can tell you that," Polak said.

"It has had its ups and downs, but for (my safety) and my health, and for the emotions of my friends and my family, I am deciding to hang my boots up once and for all and move on to the next phase of my life."

Polak was struck by a tram in mid-2008, suffering a serious head trauma that threatened his life and looked certain to end his career.

He managed to make an emotional return to play five AFL games for the Tigers in 2009 and last year, taking his career tally to 111 since his 2002 debut with the Dockers.

After leaving Richmond at the end of last year, he joined East Perth in the WAFL this year.

His wife, Alyce, said she was relieved with the decision, saying: "Every time he goes for the ball, you always think the worst because of his history and since the (tram) accident, he has been knocked out so many times."

Polak was knocked out in a match against Subiaco last month.

Game Day will air on Channel Seven from 10am today.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/former-tiger-and-docker-graham-polak-retires-from-football/story-e6frf9jf-1226096062396

[one-eyed]

Baby joy with a capital 'L' for Graham Polak and wife Alyce

    by: Anthony Decegilie
    From: Sunday Herald Sun
    January 15, 2012


Former AFL star Graham Polak and wife Alyce with newborn baby girl London Joy. Picture Theo Fakos Herald Sun

GRAHAM Polak's remarkable recovery has now come full circle with the birth of his first child.

Polak's wife, Alyce, gave birth to a healthy baby girl in Perth on Wednesday. The proud parents called their little girl London Joy Polak.

"We've both lost our dads, so we wanted both of them in the name," Alyce said.

"Graham's dad's name is Don and my dad grew up in London. Joy is my mum's middle name."

The former Richmond player suffered severe brain damage when he was struck by a tram on a Melbourne street in 2008.

It took more than a month for Graham, now 27, to regain vital parts of his memory.

There were moments when Alyce, who turned 26 on Friday, thought she had lost the love of her life.

In those dark days sitting beside Graham's hospital bed, she would never have imagined his remarkable recovery that would see them marry in 2010 and now be parents.

Graham overcame enormous odds to play AFL football again 14 months after the injury.

But he was forced to give the game away because of ongoing health concerns from the accident.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/confidential/baby-joy-with-a-capital-l/story-e6frf96x-1226244517275

[Eat_em_Alive]

Good on em both 

[mightytiges]

Congrats to both and great news 

[bojangles17]

great news, future father son, heres hoping

[Mr Magic]

Didn't rate him highly as a footballer but very happy to see him doing well after the traumatic experience he had. Congrats Graham.

[JVT]

great news, future father son, heres hoping

Congrats to them both.

He only played 38 games with us so no FS.

[bojangles17]

great news, future father son, heres hoping

Congrats to them both.

He only played 38 games with us so no FS.

well not by virtue of a free selection so to soeak but we could draft him