Polak thread [merged]

[one-eyed]

Polak close to miracle comeback
Courtney Walsh | August 07, 2009 | The Australian

ABOUT a year after Graham Polak almost lost his life when struck by a tram, the Tiger is on the brink of an extraordinary return to senior football.

The 25-year-old, whose career seemed over when he suffered severe head injuries in Armadale last June, was last night named in Richmond's squad of 25 for Sunday's match against Sydney at the MCG, although The Australian understands his return will be delayed for another week.

Regardless of the match committee decision today, Polak's naming is a boost in what has been a troubled year at Richmond. It follows Ben Cousins' declaration yesterday that there "would be blood on the streets" if the Tigers decided against retaining club legend Matthew Richardson next season.

It was reported yesterday that Richmond had already offered a contract for next year to Richardson, who signalled his intent to continue in 2010 before an arthroscopy on his knee yesterday.

Tigers caretaker coach Jade Rawlings said negotiations were on hold until the club's next coach was signed.

The pending of return of Polak had buoyed Tigerland, Rawlings said yesterday.

"He has been a good story. I didn't know if he would be able to get back, I thought he would be unlikely, but he has kept improving every week," Rawlings said. When the former Docker, who was taken with the fourth pick in a stellar 2001 draft behind Chris Judd, Luke Hodge and Luke Ball, was placed in an induced coma after the accident, with surgeons fearing long-term brain damage, his chances of playing seemed distant.

Polak was able to resume training with the Tigers at the beginning of the year, but officials noted his co-ordination and reflexes had been affected.

As well, he was unable to see the ball at the other end of the ground during a pre-season game against St Kilda in Shepparton.

In recent weeks Polak has shown improvement and versatility, with good performances in the ruck, at centre-half back and in attack for Coburg.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25893213-2722,00.html

[1965]

The medical call regarding Polak is made by his specialists  from the accident not the RFC medicos - so if they say he right to go he is right to go

I wish I had your confidence in "specialists".

[Tigermonk]

Bad decision by the medical staff & the club if this was to happen. His brain would not have fully recovered & would be far too slow moving up a level at this stage & if he is good enough now to play AFL senior football, then he should be put in cotten wool & retained for next pre-season matches.
Why do Richmond never fail to do stupid things

I apologise, I never knew you were a brain surgeon.
I thought you were a rocket scientist

snipeing again

[Tigermonk]

Why do Richmond never fail to do stupid things

to stay in theme with idiot supporters.

snipeing again

[Tigermonk]

Bad decision by the medical staff & the club if this was to happen. His brain would not have fully recovered & would be far too slow moving up a level at this stage & if he is good enough now to play AFL senior football, then he should be put in cotten wool & retained for next pre-season matches.
Why do Richmond never fail to do stupid things

I can't remember an insightful thing you have ever posted.

Pollys form warrants a call up.. You can't put the whole list in cotton wool mate...

snipeing again

[Infamy]

I think you have a stutter

[Tigermonk]

 

[Chuck17]

Either that or there is an echo in here

[WilliamPowell]

The medical call regarding Polak is made by his specialists  from the accident not the RFC medicos - so if they say he right to go he is right to go

I wish I had your confidence in "specialists".

Great hospital Epworth and yeah I have great faith in the Doctors at the Epworth 

[Ox]

Just amazing that Polly is back playing AFL  .

hear,here!

[bojangles17]

Bad decision by the medical staff & the club if this was to happen. His brain would not have fully recovered & would be far too slow moving up a level at this stage & if he is good enough now to play AFL senior football, then he should be put in cotten wool & retained for next pre-season matches.
Why do Richmond never fail to do stupid things

are you a neurologist, specialising in occupational therapy or just and armchair critic singing straight from the clacker coz for all it's worth, that's probably where it should remain

[Francois Jackson]

man i hope he makes a successful return.

we all forget how good a mark he is. How important would it be for a guy like him that can play back or forward.

[Tigermonk]

are you a neurologist, specialising in occupational therapy or just and armchair critic singing straight from the clacker coz for all it's worth, that's probably where it should remain
[/quote]

if he makes the team, lets see how confused & slow he is. can tell you from his interview that he dont talk the same as before the accident. dont need to be a neurologist, specialising in occupational therapy just open your eyes. Polak needs to be kept out of the AFL till next year if they going to keep him.

[bojangles17]

are you a neurologist, specialising in occupational therapy or just and armchair critic singing straight from the clacker coz for all it's worth, that's probably where it should remain

if he makes the team, lets see how confused & slow he is. can tell you from his interview that he dont talk the same as before the accident. dont need to be a neurologist, specialising in occupational therapy just open your eyes. Polak needs to be kept out of the AFL till next year if they going to keep him.
[/quote]

Listen partner, I can recall Polly prior to the accident and I can tell you he was NEVER a linguist of any note...Nice try but leave the specialist opinion to the experts

[one-eyed]

Polak's close, but only in an emergency for tomorrow's match
Andrea Petrie | August 8, 2009

RICHMOND'S Graham Polak will have to wait at least another week before returning to senior football.

The 25-year-old key position player, who has not played senior football since he was hit by a tram in June last year, has been named an emergency in the Tigers' team to play Sydney at the MCG tomorrow.

It is the closest he has been so far to returning to the AFL after he sustained brain bruising and spent several days in an induced coma after the accident.

Richmond football operations manager Ross Monaghan said last night Polak was ''not far away'' from a return.

''He's really close to selection and has got to the stage where he's strongly being considered but we just haven't got a spot for him at this stage,'' Monaghan said. ''He's an emergency so could come in because circumstances change, but as it stands now he's not playing.''

Polak was told by doctors it was unlikely he would play again this year but he has put in a several strong performances with Richmond's VFL affiliate, Coburg.

''The expectation surrounding his progress was something no one could really estimate and it everyone had to wait and see,'' Monaghan said.

''We've just found his progress each step of the way extraordinary and to get where he is - pressing for selection in the senior side - is something that no one really expected, so it's fantastic.

''We haven't wanted to put any pressure on him and if he plays between now and the end of the year it will be fantastic.''

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/rfnews/polak-close-but-only-an-emergency/2009/08/07/1249350686008.html