Dockers 'no' to Polak rookie bid
Cameron Noakes, Martin Boulton | December 12, 2008
FREMANTLE is planning to be a major obstacle in Richmond's bid to move Graham Polak on to its rookie list.
In a report by the West Australian newspaper, the Dockers (Polak's former club) want to oppose Richmond's application to have the player listed as a rookie, and in doing so greatly reduce Ben Cousins' chances of joining the Tigers in Tuesday's pre-season draft.
Collingwood president Eddie McGuire has also expressed serious doubts about the Tigers' late bid to have Polak rookie-listed.
But Kevin Sheedy yesterday said Cousins deserved another chance, while former star Richmond rover Robert Wiley has backed the Tigers' bid, saying Cousins could lift Richmond into the finals next season.
Fremantle chief executive Steve Rosich told the West Australian the Dockers were hopeful Cousins returned to the AFL but the club was opposed to changing the rules.
"The AFL rules are very clear. Richmond has the option of putting Graham Polak on the long term injury list and elevating a rookie onto the main list. We believe that would be the appropriate course of action," Rosich told the WA.
Cousins' manager, Ricky Nixon, declined to comment when contacted by The Age. His former club, West Coast, also refused to comment.
Essendon will support the application and St Kilda, who seriously considered drafting Cousins, backed the Tigers, saying it was "up to them what they want to do" with the extra selection.
"According to medical evidence Graham's still got a fair way to go before he's back playing football," St Kilda chief executive Archie Fraser said.
"The key thing is Graham's still in a bit of bother, so we think it's a reasonable request (and) we've all got to give and take a little bit."
Bookmaker Sportingbet rates Cousins a $1.50 chance to be picked up by Richmond in the pre-season draft, and $2.50 not to be.
Polak suffered a serious brain injury when a tram struck him in June and he will battle to play football in 2009. The AFL allowed Essendon to put de-listed midfielder Adam Ramanauskas on the rookie list in 2007 as he battled cancer. Ramanauskas eventually returned to the senior list and played another 23 games before retiring.
Richmond would get an extra selection in the pre-season draft if its request is granted, so the league has asked clubs to respond before a commission meeting on Monday.
Sheedy met with Cousins last week and told him to start contacting clubs in a bid to get another chance. Sheedy said the AFL had given Cousins the chance to prove he had beaten his drug addiction and he could still play for several years.
"He's an experienced player obviously. That's up to Richmond. I'm only going back to Richmond to help in different areas and not the footy department," Sheedy said.
"But James Hird played here (Perth) in his last match … on the biggest footy ground in the world. James Hird is every bit of an athlete as Ben Cousins. If you're determined to make things happen in your life, then do it. If Ben got himself right, he could possibly do that and maybe play until 33 or 34 which is a wonderful achievement."
Wiley, a former assistant coach at West Coast, said to the WA the Brownlow medallist could turn the Tigers into a September threat.
"With his class and experience, that could certainly take them into the eight," Wiley said.
http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/freo-no-to-polak-rookie-bid/2008/12/11/1228585027780.htmlftp://
