Graham Polak rookie bid draws mixed reaction
Jon Ralph | December 11, 2008
RICHMOND'S bid to transfer Graham Polak to its rookie list has drawn mixed reactions from rival clubs suspicious of its timing and motives.
The Tigers alerted the AFL to the move yesterday after a board meeting believed to have been on Tuesday night.
Most clubs have responded positively to Polak's plight and Essendon yesterday supported the Tigers' action.
But Collingwood president Eddie McGuire wondered aloud whether Richmond was using sympathy for Polak, who was hit by a tram in June, to get another pre-season pick.
McGuire said on 3AW last night the Tigers should have lodged a submission on the issue before the national draft on November 29.
"Maybe I am getting old and cynical . . . I will want some answers about why this wasn't done before the draft so everyone knew what was going on. There are a lot of question marks," McGuire said.
"We have had a long time to think about Ben Cousins and any player with an ongoing injury. These things should have been discussed before the national draft.
"We just have to remember the Adam Ramanauskas case was a one-off. It wasn't a precedent. It was in totally different circumstances."
Essendon broke new ground when it successfully argued to have Ramanauskas, who had cancer, put on the club's 2007 rookie list.
Essendon chief executive Peter Jackson last night said the club supported Richmond's move. "It is a more than reasonable decision. It is about common sense and we fully support it," he said.
"After what happened with Adam Ramanauskas, it is only right that Graham Polak should be afforded the same opportunities."
Carlton last night supported the decision in principle, but was concerned about its effect on pre-season draft order.
Blues chief executive Greg Swann said yesterday the club approved of Polak being given special dispensation.
Richmond has the sixth pick in the pre-season draft and would be given the seventh, and last, if its request is approved.
"We have no issue with them doing it, it's just we are not sure they should get a second pick in the pre-season draft," Swann said.
"Should they get a nominated rookie, or another pick in the pre-season draft?"
Swann said Melbourne might be directly affected, with the Blues not far behind.
"If you give Richmond another pick, they might pick a bloke that Melbourne wanted in the rookie draft and maybe that isn't fair.
"Then again is a pre-season pick the only way for them to have a full list?
"We need to discuss it before we lodge our submission."
Geelong chief executive Brian Cook said the club's football department would discuss its submission today.
"It's probably in line with the Adam Ramanauskas situation, but we don't know enough yet to decide either way," he said.
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