Polak To Be Given 1 Year Deal

[_RT_]

GRAHAM Polak, the footballer almost killed after being hit by a tram 16 months ago and deemed finished as an AFL player, is now set to be offered a new contract with Richmond.
The 25-year-old has received a major, if indirect, fillip from the AFL Commission, which on Monday passed recommendation allowing two mature-age rookies to be included on every club's list regardless of how many games they had played.
Although it was unclear whether Polak's future was on the agenda at last night's board meeting at Tigerland, The Age understands that the defender was already a better-than-50/50 chance to receive a new one-year deal, whether or not the AFL approved the relaxed new rookie rules.

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/rf...ed-new-contract/2009/10/20/1255891820774.html

Looks like 12 months after asking for Polak to go onto the the mature aged rookie list we might be able to do it this year with new rookie rules allowing for a player to be named as a mature aged rookie regardless of how many games thay have played.

 

[Haggis McHaggis]

Would really love to see him go on to be a star. I was really concerned he'd go under a new coaching panel. Hope for everyone involved that it all goes well. The bloke's gotta have agates of steel to put his head over a footy.

 

[coke_zero]

Hardwick must have a role for him next year.

 

[Madtiger2006]

Good decision

 

[The Rusty Trombone]

great stuff , just goes to show that footy clubs are just as much about people as they are about premierships. I'm proud of the way the club has handled all of this.

lets hope he gets back to full capacity

 

[tugga]

Great news.
Hopefully his hunger to succeed rubs off onto the rest of the playing group. A career can be cut short at any time and these guys need to make the most of it while their time is still here.

 

[CoggaRules]

Made the most of the limited amount of time he had last year, to show that he was competitive. Damien has shown faith in him and he will deliver on that faith. Welcome back Graeme...CHF is all yours.

 

[Roachy8]

Made the most of the limited amount of time he had last year, to show that he was competitive. Damien has shown faith in him and he will deliver on that faith. Welcome back Graeme...CHF is all yours.

Yes.

Plus I liked the fact that he was almost always amongst the 'bests' at Coburg towards the end of this past season whilst most other fringe players who should have been busting their arses were in mega cruze mode.

Polly

 

[Radical Roo]

this is one of the happier stories in the football circle, much like the jason macartney comeback albeit without as much emotional and political attachment. Hope he can stay on until 30.

 

[Kapital city TIGER]

Yes.

Plus I liked the fact that he was almost always amongst the 'bests' at Coburg towards the end of this past season whilst most other fringe players who should have been busting their arses were in mega cruze mode.

Polly

hardly a great recommendation for anyone - Coburg went to poo

I doubt anyone is sure he will make it in 2010, but Im bloody glad he is being given a chance - he has already shown he is prepared to work, hope he nails down a spot and doesnt just get used as Schultz.2 end to end utility. That said, he will make a great end to end utility!

 

[Roachy8]

hardly a great recommendation for anyone - Coburg went to poo

Yup they did stink it up but that is the point...

Whilst the replacement Coburg coach & many hyped or credentialed players simply seemed to go through the motions, Polak made a number of 'bests' and presented himself for promotion.

Perhaps his accident has in some way clarified his determination & focus and it will actually make him a better player. Some used to say he was a little lackadaisical and lacked 100% effort at all times.

I guess we will see but again... Good Luck Polly.

 

[deliberate!!]

A month ago I was told he was on shaky ground from my Tomato (source), but I'm sure we can carry him for another year at least, and Hardwick will surely clear out others before Polak at the end of his first year. He might improve again.

We probably have nothing to lose.
I'd be happy if Polak played in the Seniors regularly and took some big timely grabs in the hole, like old times. (Good hands)

And the RFC football club smells of roses again. And that's got to be good for the club, it's culture and the way we are viewed.

 

[folester41]

dont think we will benefit much from letting him hang around for a little while longer, but graham is a top bloke and im happy for him and his family that he has the opportunity

 

[one eyedtiger]

I'm happy for him to have one more year, especially if its on the rookie list.
Good luck Polly

 

[Bojangles17]

i can live with giving him one more year, the fact he is a tall and has steadily improved has saved him...good luck to him here's hoping he can continue to progress

 

[RichoRox12]

Fantastic news.

Ahh.. I feel like my football club and I are finally on the same page.

 

[brjafi]

if he gets back to 2008 form before his incident!
he will be a gun

yet when i see him fall over or get tackled i cringe in the thought he coulod hurt his head!!!!!

 

[coke_zero]

if he gets back to 2008 form before his incident!
he will be a gun

yet when i see him fall over or get tackled i cringe in the thought he coulod hurt his head!!!!!

he wasnt really a gun in 08 before the accident, we were just using him to plug holes.

 

[brjafi]

he wasnt really a gun in 08 before the accident, we were just using him to plug holes.

graham polak 2008

calibre: 204
make: H S precision
model: Pro series 2000 varmit
action: Bolt repeater
scope: Bare rifle
condition: NEW

Graham polak 2009

thank god he is still alive

 

[_RT_]

Well it looks like the club still haven't made up their mind as to what they are doing with Polak with talk now that he may still be cut if they want to place him on the mature age rookie list:

GRAHAM Polak is still facing the likely prospect of being delisted by Richmond.

Even if the Tigers decide to retain the 29-year-old as a mature-age rookie, Polak must first be cut from the list.

Richmond does not have the option of automatically demoting Polak to rookie status and must redraft him if it decides he is not worthy of a place on the primary list.

Polak would be at the mercy of other clubs, with no guarantee that he would find his way back to Punt Rd.

Read more: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...t-mercy-of-draft/story-e6frf9jf-1225790174040

 

[OB1]

Well it looks like the club still haven't made up their mind as to what they are doing with Polak with talk now that he may still be cut if they want to place him on the mature age rookie list:


Read more: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...t-mercy-of-draft/story-e6frf9jf-1225790174040

This is what Essendon had to do with Rama so I highly doubt any other club would consider trying to undercut you. You should be able to just use your last pick in the rookie draft.

Would be a great achievement if he can fight his way back to being a regular player.

 

[Heisenberg_]

if he gets back to 2008 form before his incident!
he will be a gun

yet when i see him fall over or get tackled i cringe in the thought he coulod hurt his head!!!!!

If he wants to become a valueable member to the team he has to improve a lot on 2008 form.

 

[Kapital city TIGER]

any more on this? I really hope to see Polly having another crack in 2010
he is going to learn a lot of tram related jokes from his opposition!

He hasnt really earnt a spot and development of young talls would be pushing him into being KP Utility (a la Schultz) as Posty plays whichever end, Rance works at owning CHB.
Will be nice to plonk an exrta competent tall in when our forwards are struggling or to float in front of opp fwds, but Id really like to see him earn a spot and just do a bit of shuffling to accomodate the little uns' development. Id like us all to be clamouring for club to put him on 3 yrs by the tail end of '10

Other than avoiding trams (lets call that improving his awareness) what else does he need to work on to be a walk up for our 22?

 

[Spluff]

Wow, he's gotten four years older in the space of a few weeks.