Coburg vs Williamstown - Sunday, July 12

[WilliamPowell]

do you think Polly is looking more likely for an afl return or at the very least a retention on the list...more solid performances at coburg would not hurt, he's only 24

I would be very suprised if he plays AFL this year, if again - I think it is an amazing effort that he has come back to where he has

Sadly, I would think he would be very lucky to be there next year. I would love to see him come back to AFL but I don't know whether any club would be prepared to have him on a list without an absolute guarantee he can play games.

It is still heart in the mouth stuff every time he gets knocked in a contest - you sit there thinking "just please get up" - I did it twice today because sometimes he is slow getting up after getting hit

Having said that personally I would give him an AFL game this year if all the doctors (and that's his specialists not our club doctor) said he was right - that would be the best indications of whether he gets a gig next year and it would simply be a great story. There is a big difference betwen AFL & VFL.

[bojangles17]

do you think Polly is looking more likely for an afl return or at the very least a retention on the list...more solid performances at coburg would not hurt, he's only 24

I would be very suprised if he plays AFL this year, if again - I think it is an amazing effort that he has come back to where he has

Sadly, I would think he would be very lucky to be there next year. I would love to see him come back to AFL but I don't know whether any club would be prepared to have him on a list without an absolute guarantee he can play games.

It is still heart in the mouth stuff every time he gets knocked in a contest - you sit there thinking "just please get up" - I did it twice today because sometimes he is slow getting up after getting hit

Having said that personally I would give him an AFL game this year if all the doctors (and that's his specialists not our club doctor) said he was right - that would be the best indications of whether he gets a gig next year and it would simply be a great story. There is a big difference betwen AFL & VFL.

i suspect at least another 2-3 at VFL to guage whether he may be up to the increased pace and ferocity of afl..I would have thought the fact he's playing at all would infer he's passed the major medical hurdles...more about his ability and reflex at elite level i would think...Good luck to him, is terrific to see

[RollsRoyce]

I thought Polak was terrific today. His ruckwork, his willingness to put his head over the ball, and his linking up through the middle and across half forward were all first rate. I've never thought of Polak as the most instinctive or quick-thinking player, but there was one bit of play he did in that frenetic,goal for goal last quarter that was very pleasing.We were pushing forward and instead of flying for a 50-50 contested mark he leapt up and palmed it out the back beautifully to a player running past. As long as he gets the all-clear from his neuro-surgeon I'm all for bringing him back next week to replace Moore.   

[RollsRoyce]

I'd still like to know how a Willy player can mark easily inside forward 50 when you have all 18 of your players in there meant to be defending .

We kept building up the grandstand wing in the last quarter. But whenever one of our attacks broke down,Willy would always clear it up the other flank and we didn't work hard enough on the other side of the ground to lock it in.They had too much space to link up on the far wing, and it was only through some excellent spoils and marks on the last line of defence by Silvester and co. that we were able to repel them a number of times. The winning goal to Willy came when we got a hurried clearance up that same wing again that just failed to reach the bondary line. They gathered and pumped it back in for the winning mark. I was a long way away, but I reckon it only dribbled a few cm's away from the line. Just our luck really. If we could've forced a stoppage there the siren would've gone. Still, it was a great effort by the Burgers after having been down by 6 goals at 1/4 time. The third and final terms were really exciting. 



[/quote]

[Infamy]

I would have thought that Polak's bruising of the brain would have completely subsided by now. From memory they said it should be 100% after 12-18 months, which it has now almost been.
If he's not got any lingering effects such as tiredness from physical activity and solid motor skills then I can't see how it would be any more of a risk for him to play now that prior to the accident.

[one-eyed]

Brown back as Polak makes strong bid for Tigers recall
Brent Diamond | July 13, 2009

RICHMOND'S Nathan Brown made a successful return from a groin injury in Coburg Tigers' three-point loss to Williamstown at Burbank Oval yesterday.

But it was teammate Graham Polak who stole the show in a best-on-ground performance in the ruck to seriously challenge for senior selection for the first time since suffering a severe brain injury in a tram accident after round 14 last season.

Coburg Tigers coach and Richmond assistant Craig McRae said the helmeted Polak played his best game of the year.

"He was sensational, Polly," McRae said. "Just the way he's gone about it over the last couple of weeks, he looks like the Polly of old.

"He's been terrific in marking contests. The game changed when he went into the ruck in the first quarter. "I'm not on the match committee at Richmond, but if you just talk solely on Polly's form, his last couple of weeks have been terrific."

Brown, who kicked two goals, did not dominate but was "terrific", according to McRae.

Mark Coughlan had 23 disposals until half-time, while Joel Bowden was also one of the Tigers' best.

Tim Callan, Guy O'Keefe and Brett Johnson led the way in Williamstown's last-gasp 19.5 (119) to 18.8 (116) win, with Bulldog Jarrad Grant kicking the winning goal.

The Seagulls shot out to a 38-point lead at the first change before the visitors came back, led by Polak's brilliance in the ruck.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/rfnews/brown-returns-polak-makes-bid-for-tigers/2009/07/12/1247337027847.html

[one-eyed]

Round 13 Match Report
By Glenn Robertson
coburgtigers.com.au

WILLIAMSTOWN v COBURG TIGERS
BURBANK OVAL
SUNDAY 12th JULY

The Burgers travelled down to Burbank Oval on Sunday to take on Williamstown. The Seagulls sat on top of the ladder with ten wins and were clear favourites at home to take out the win. It was a fairly mild day for Burbank Oval although there was still a blustery wind blowing down the ground and both teams used the conditions well to put on a great football exhibition. Although the Burgers won three of the four quarters for the day, it was the miserly first quarter that cost Coburg the match.

Similar to previous weeks the Burgers were slow out of the blocks and down by a sizable margin at the first break. The Seagulls kicked with a strong breeze and were first to the ball, while the Burgers lack of contested football was easily noticeable. Williamstown moved the ball quickly down the guts at every opportunity, while their forwards finished off the good work kicking truly on most occasions. It looked like being a bleak day for the Burgers, down by thirty eight points at quarter time.

Coburg Tigers 3.0 (18)   Williamstown 9.2 (56)

After a quarter time spray Coburg came out a more spirited team after quarter time and actually won the remainder of the match by thirty five points.

Cleve Hughes played a solid role at Centre Half Forward holding down the position well taking a bucketful of marks. He kicked well and finished with a game high four majors. Tim Clarke and Mark Coughlan won plenty on contested ball out of the middle and their skill level was a class above, as they pinpointed the Burger forwards.

Although the scoreboard showed Coburg to be down by twenty three points at the main break the boys were looking much more positive and keen to take on the second half.

Coburg Tigers 7.4 (46)   Williamstown 11.3 (69)

Coburg were brilliant in the third term holding Williamstown to only three majors while producing five goals themself. The Burgers were up against the best in the competition and were proving they could easily match it, playing a man on man style of football. Graham Polak was close to best on ground in a brilliant display in the ruck. He gave the Burger on-ballers first use of the footy and also took multiple contested marks around the ground. Polak has improved each week and will be close to selection in the Richmond side in the coming weeks.

Coburg went into the final change huddle only down by eleven points.

Coburg Tigers 12.6 (78)   Williamstown 14.5 (89)

The final term was one of the highlights of the season. Both teams skill level was at a match high, and the accuracy in goal kicking was outstanding. Joel Bowden showed why he is one of the games greats with his raking long left foot kicks, while Jarrod Silvester was a delight to have back on the team holding down the backline brilliantly, particularly in the second half. The usual work horses in Nic Liddle and Nick Carnell were vital in the final term also, with Carnell producing another three goal game.

After see-sawing goal to goal quarter the Burgers were behind when it mattered most as the final siren sounded.

After a poor first term there were so many positives for coach Craig McRae to take out of today’s game, as the Burgers look forward to taking on Geelong at skilled stadium on Saturday. The game is the curtain raiser to Geelong’s AFL team and begins at 10.40am, while the reserves take on the Casey Scorpions at ABD Group Stadium on Sunday at 2.00pm.

Coburg Tigers  3.0 7.4 12.6 18.8 (116)
Williamstown   9.2 11.3 14.5 19.5 (119)

Goal Kickers: C. Hughes 4, N. Carnell 3, M. Coughlan 2, A. Pattison 2, N. Brown 2, J. Bowden, A. Thomson, J. McMahon, A. Browne, B. Clifton

Best Players: G. Polak, T. Clarke, M. Coughlan, J. Bowden, N. Liddle, J. Silvester


RESERVES

The reserves had their first loss in a month after facing a very strong Williamstown side. The Seagulls sat undefeated on top of the ladder, and it was always going to be a hard fight for the Burgers to have any chance. After an even first quarter when the Burgers had the wind, Williamstown kicked away to a six goal half time lead, and basically it was all over from there. Tamer Abdallah kicked two goals in a fine display and along with Ryan Allen was the Burgers only multiple goal kicker with two a piece, while Hamish Dahl and Nic Wood were also among the Burgers best.

Coburg Tigers 4.4 5.6    6.7   8.10 (58)
Williamstown  4.2 11.5 14.10 21.14 (140)

Goal Kickers: R. Allan 2, T. Abdallah 2, J. De Sousa, R. Jordon, L. McQuilken, J. Horne

Best Players: T. Abdallah, H. Dahl, N. Wood, N. Cattapan, L. McQuilken, D. Putt

http://www.sportingpulse.com/club_info.cgi?client=1-118-10471-0-0&sID=56260&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=9474621&sectionID=56260

[cub]

Sorry for the delay.

Adam Thompson! Someone asked - Too small and doesn't seem to be able to find the footy and when he does loses it too easily - Doesn't seem to have the desire or footy smarts - What a waste of space 

Clever - OK in the second half - First half summed up Cleve though! If the delivery isn't spot on he does not dominate the contest and take marks that he should. Even at VFL level he was spoiled to easily and does not have any second effort just gets the sulks instead of working on the 1%ers these blokes should be working on when not all is going their way.

Clark was BOG for Coburg - Polak was OK, but think the media are getting a bit overexcited about him. Think he was a bit slow in decision making before the accident and even more so now. Hey call it as I see it!

Some may think Cogs is past it because he is slow, but I reckon if he can make his way back, his abilty to get in and get the ball out "Effectively" he would fit in the Seniors quite well.

Patto tried hard mainly in the second half but some of his kicking was well 

Potential ins IMO for this week - Cogs for Hislop, probably about it! could include Browny or Joel for King and/or Edwards - Must admit King wasn't as bad as usual on the weekend so would be a bit stiff.

[one-eyed]

Stats from McRae's EOTT report:

Coughlan - 37 disposals, 17 hardball gets, 7 tackles (B.O.G.)
Bowden - 33 disposals, 14 marks
Brown - 31 disposals, 2 goals
Pattison - 19 disposals, 8 marks, 5 tackles, 2 goals
Hughes - 4 goals, a couple of contested marks (important player for the Burgers)
McMahon - 23 disposals (19 kicks)
Thomson - 15 disposals, 6 tackles (good second half)
Browne - 16 hitouts, 50% gametime

High praise for Polak and Silvester in their roles.

Full report:
http://210.50.4.102/rfc/

[Judge Roughneck]

go Cogs 

[Stripes]

What's the story with Browne? Is he coming back from an injury?

Any chance of Thomson being an inclusion this week?

Well done Cogs but perhaps a little too late 

Stripes

[Chuck17]

Any chance of Thomson being an inclusion this week?

No chance but Cogs is back

[Judge Roughneck]

What's the story with Browne? Is he coming back from an injury?

Any chance of Thomson being an inclusion this week?

Well done Cogs but perhaps a little too late 

Stripes

We must still have room or Cogs next year? 

Allow him to have one more pre-season.

He bleeds for the club and is already a mini-legend.

We can delist about 15 players before we worry about getting rid of Cogs..

still only 27, if we get rid of 4+ 30 year old nothing wrong with having someone who has been around for a long time for the kids to look up to.

I would hope Cuz, Cogs, Tuck are are only 'mature' mids next year.

if he is getting 35 touches, 20 hard ball gets in the 2s there must be more potential up side keeping him next season than delisting??

FORZA COUGHLAN

[Chuck17]

Gotta agree with that Bentleigh 

Plenty of others in the queue before we get to Cogs and you never know what may happen after he gets a full pre-season and gets re-acclimatised to the game again.

[cub]

Said it before and will say it again Cogs is a class "footballer". Even the best of the best take a year after 1 Knee injury. Cogs has had 2 it's half way through the year and I reckon he has played well, how the hell someone like edwards is in the side in front of him is ludicrous to say the least.
And I picked Edwards as the big improver somewhere I think