Polak thread [merged]

[Moi]

According to Bigfooty
Prayers with you, Graham 
 

[Ramps]

terrible 24 hours for the footy club in general. hopefully the reports on Graham are better than what I heard on radio. Tony Schebecci on SEN said RFC having a Press Conference at 10am.

[Moi]

According to Fox news not life-threatening injuries, so hopefully that is the case.

[julzqld]

It's on Fox Sports.  Says serious head injuries.

[Moi]

If the club are holding a press conference doesn't sound too positive.
I don't think they'd bother if it wasn't that bad.
Or maybe they would just to allay fears.

[julzqld]

From Foxsports.com.au

Polak critical after tram hit

June 29, 2008 RICHMOND AFL footballer Graham Polak is in a critical but stable condition after being hit by a tram in Melbourne on Saturday night.

Mr Polak was crossing the road at the intersection of Orrong Road and Dandenong Road in Armadale at around 11.30pm (EST).

The 24-year-old was treated by paramedics and taken to The Alfred hospital. He is believed to be suffering head injuries and has been placed in an induced coma.


AAP

[Moi]

Much the same report as Julz's

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

Richmond AFL footballer Graham Polak is in a critical but stable condition after being hit by a tram in Melbourne.

Mr Polak was crossing the road at the Orrong and Dandenong roads intersection in Armadale around 11.30pm (AEST) Saturday.

The 24-year-old Prahan man was treated by paramedics and taken to The Alfred hospital. He is believed to be suffering head injuries.

A hospital spokeswoman said Mr Polak was in a critical but stable condition.

Police have confirmed the man involved in the incident was the Richmond key position player.

[Moi]

Matt Thompson reporter on SEN.

Happened around 11.30 in Armadale.  Crossing with friends and hit by tram and was knocked unconcscious.

Medically induced coma.

Was listed as critical a while back but an update expected soon and expected that he has improved.

Press conference at 10am, but informal chats from club officials appear to say he is okay. 

[2JD]

Awful news! Made my stomach drop.
Best wishes for a speedy and full recovery Graham 

[Moi]

Club doctor Greg Hick says(*)

Signs are more positive this morning than last night.  Scans have shown he has a brain injury which is not great news but the way he’s improved overnight is positive.  Put in an induced coma and hope he will wake up in a better state.  Next 24 hours will dictate what his future holds.

Induced coma is a normal procedure for someone sustaining a brain injury, to shut the body down and the brain down so that the hospital can take control of the situation and monitor without extra movement and things happening.  He hasn’t shown signs of swelling and the positive he will be okay.

Long term prognosis – not sure.  They’ll have a clearer picture today and odds are he should make a full recovery and what that timeframe is is hard to say.

Is it the end of his footy career?  Hopefully not but wouldn’t think he will play again this year.  See how he goes over the coming months.

[Fluffy Tiger]

Hang in there Graham.

He got back up on onto ground after getting smashed by Fev yesterday. I am confident he will be back as he showed what he was made of yesterday.

We are all thinking of you.

[shannon]

i feel for the big hunk, as soon as i heard i was in tears. it does not sound positive to me, i hope for polaks sake it is not another motley scenario. but i feel maybe there might just be some brain damage, the doc did not sound positive to me 

[jezza]

Geez that's terrible news. Hopefully he can make a full recovery.

[Tigermonk]

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

[Francois Jackson]

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..