Graham Polak

Infobox afl player NEW


playername = Graham Polak
fullname = Graham Polak
image capt =
birthdate = Birth date and age|1984|6|16|df=y
birthplace = Western Australia
originalteam = East Fremantle (WAFL)
draftpick = 4^th overall, 2001
AFL Fre
heightweight = 194cm / 92kg
position = Center Half Back/Center Half Forward
dead = alive
deathdate =
deathplace =
currentclub =AFL Ric
guernsey = 6
years = 2002-2006
2007-
Total
clubs = AFL Fre
AFL Ric
games(goals) = 73 (9)
33 (15)
106 (24)
coach = notcoach
coachingteams =
statsend = Rd 14, 2008
careerhighlights =

*AFL Rising Star Nominee 2003

Graham Polak (born 16 June 1984) is an Australian rules footballer for the Richmond Football Club in the AFL.

Polak began his AFL career with the Fremantle Football Club after being drafted from East Fremantle in the WAFL with the fourth selection in the 2001 AFL Draft (behind future stars of the game Luke Hodge, Luke Ball and Chris Judd.) He made his debut in round 1, 2002 in a Western Derby against the West Coast Eagles which Fremantle lost. In 2003 he had his best season to date, only missing one game (round 3) and playing in Fremantle's first ever finals match. He was nominated for the AFL Rising Star award in Round 9 and finished second in the end of year voting behind Sam Mitchell and ahead of Luke Ball and Daniel Wells.

Polak only played 12 games in 2005 and failed to improve due to a pre-season injury. He was recalled in round 3 of 2006, and due to injuries to Aaron Sandilands and Justin Longmuir, was often played in the new role of a ruckman, but still only managed 11 games for the season, and was overlooked for the finals.

On 13 October 2006, Polak was traded to the Richmond Football Club following speculation all week that he would be the key to the mega deal involving Collingwood's Chris Tarrant being traded to the Dockers. Since being at the Tigers, Polak has mainly played at centre-half back and finished seventh in Richmond's 2007 best and fairest award after playing in all 22 games for the season.

Late on 28 June 2008, Polak was struck by a Melbourne tram, and was placed in an induced coma with bruising to the brain, putting his football career in jeopardy. [ [http://www.realfooty.com.au/articles/2008/06/29/1214677819723.html Polak's condition remains critical but stable] , "The Age", 29 June 2008.] Two days after being struck by the tram Polak was able to respond to commands and squeeze a family member's hand. The hospital has stated that the signs are 'encouraging'. [ [http://www.realfooty.com.au/articles/2008/06/30/1214677943560.html Tram-hit Tiger wakes to a more hopeful future] ]

Nearly a week after being hit by a tram Polak was moved to Epworth Rehabilitation Centre. He can now remember parts of the game he played against Carlton the day of his accident and is able to recognise loved ones and speak. Polak has been undertaking regular physiotherapy and exercise and is sleeping well at night. Coach Terry Wallace says he is "extremely pleased to see the progress Graham has made from when I visited him mid last week," [ [http://news.theage.com.au/sport/polak-moved-to-epworth-rehab-hospital-20080704-31km.html Polak's Memory Continues to Improve, The Age, 7/07/08] ] There is hope for a full but long recovery.

He has received over 1500 messages of support and well wishes from fans from around Australia.

External links

*Richplayer|ref=14194
*AflRleague|ref=G/Graham_Polak.html

References