Bentleigh's - Graham Polak & related issues Thread

Bentleigh

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Part 1: http://richmondfc.com.au/default.asp?pg=home

Mega deal completed
1:24:54 PM Fri 13 October, 2006
Paul Gough
Sportal for afl.com.au

Trade week's first mega deal has taken place, with Graham Polak now a Tiger, Chris Tarrant a Docker and Paul Medhurst a Magpie.

Under the complex deal, Polak joins the Tigers on a three-year deal from Fremantle for a swap of first-round picks, with the Dockers getting Richmond's pick no.8 and the Tigers getting the Dockers' pick 13.

The Tigers also gave up their third round pick to the Dockers, pick 42 overall, but in return got the Dockers fourth round pick, no.63.

The Dockers then on-traded pick eight to Collingwood for their five-tie leading goalkicker, while goalsneak Medhurst was also traded to the Magpies as part of the package.

And to complete the complicated trade, the Magpies and Tigers swapped fourth round picks, with the Tigers getting the Magpies' pick 60 while Collingwood got Richmond's pick 63, which the Tigers initially got from Fremantle.
Polak trade delights Tigers
1:32:34 PM Fri 13 October, 2006
Matt Burgan
Sportal for afl.com.au

Richmond director of football Greg Miller says the club is delighted to have secured former Fremantle defender/forward Graham Polak in a complex deal that involves former Pie Chris Tarrant shifting to the Dockers and ex-Freo forward Paul Medhurst moving to Collingwood.

Miller confirmed Polak had signed with the Tigers for three years, which will see him tied to Richmond until the end of the 2009 season. He said Polak was a terrific addition for the club.

"It's great win for the Richmond Football Club," Miller said.

"To have a guy that is 195 centremetres down there is going to be a great help."

Miller said Polak's move to Victoria would do him the world of good.

"He's 22 years of age and about 70 games under his belt and I think the change of environment to Richmond will do him the world of good," Miller said.

"His last part of the season wasn't as good as his previous time, but we think he's ready to play."

Miller said Richmond coach Terry Wallace was in Orlando in the United States, but was delighted with the news.

"It's about midnight over there and he's (Wallace) spoken to him (Polak) as well, so he's (Wallace) absolutely ecstatic as well," Miller said.

As for the negotiations, Miller said it was relatively smooth sailing.

"It wasn't too bad. They always take until the last day, as we've found and at about 12 o'clock today, we all agreed, so I think all three parties are very pleased … I think it's fair for everybody," Miller said.

Polak said he was stoked to be heading to Punt Road.

"It's the club I wanted to go to and to get there is a big relief," he told richmondfc.com.au

"I met Terry (Wallace) a couple of weeks ago and got along really well with him, and I reckon he’ll be able to get the best out of me.

"I just can’t wait to get started there."
Tigers rapt to secure Polak
2:35:49 PM Fri 13 October, 2006
richmondfc.com.au

The Richmond Football Club is delighted with the recruitment of Graham Polak from Fremantle on the final day of the AFL’s trade week.

Polak, 22, 195cm and 94kg, was traded in a deal which sees Richmond swap first-round picks with Fremantle (8 for 13), as well as a third and fourth-round exchange of selections.

The Tigers have earmarked Polak for centre half-back and believe he will provide a significant boost to their defence with his height, strength and courage. They also recognise his potential to fill a key role up forward if required.

“We were very keen to secure Graham’s services, but at the same time, didn’t want to have to give too much away to get him. In the end, we certainly think it’s a fair and reasonable deal, because we’re still in the first round of the Draft, which is an important factor for us,” said Richmond coach Terry Wallace.


“There’s no doubting Graham’s ability and, at just 22, we’re excited about what he has to offer us over the next decade.

“As a young, key-position player, we feel he’ll fit really well into our youthful group, who are all coming through together.”

Polak, was the No. 4 pick overall in the 2001 National Draft behind Luke Hodge, Luke Ball and Chris Judd.

He made his debut with the Dockers early in 2002 and was impressive in six appearances, until a shoulder injury forced him out for the rest of the season.

In 2003, Polak was runner-up to Hawthorn’s Sam Mitchell in the AFL’s Rising Star award, finishing ahead of young players of the calibre of Luke Ball and Daniel Wells.

Polak’s league career has stalled over the past couple of years, primarily due to a lack of opportunity, but he is eagerly awaiting a fresh start at Tigerland.

“I’m really stoked to be going to Richmond,” Polak said.

“It’s the club I wanted to go to and to get there is a big relief.

“I met Terry (Wallace) a couple of weeks ago and got along really well with him, and I reckon he’ll be able to get the best out of me.

“I just can’t wait to get started there.”
Tigers cover all bases in recruiting Polak
3:29:53 PM Fri 13 October, 2006
Richmond coach Terry Wallace
richmondfc.com.au

I believe the following is the formula for good recruiting in AFL football:

• Keep your early picks.

• Don’t give away your quality players.

• Add talent to your playing list.


Obviously, that’s difficult to achieve when dealing with rival league clubs, who are seeking to do something similar, but I really feel we, at Richmond, covered off all this during the 2006 trade period which finished on Friday afternoon.

We’ve retained picks in the first and second rounds of the upcoming National Draft, we haven’t traded away any of our players, and we’ve managed to snare a player who was a top four selection in the Draft and finished runner-up in the AFL’s Rising Star Award.

In securing the services of 22-year-old Graham Polak from the Fremantle Dockers, I now regard us as having gained two first-round picks, as well as a second-rounder, in our recruiting endeavors.

Graham was taken by the Dockers at pick No. 4 overall in the 2001 Draft – the same Draft where Luke Hodge, Luke Ball and Chris Judd went 1, 2 and 3.

I’m a firm believer that if you’re a top-10 Draft pick as an 18-year-old, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be as highly rated as a 24-year-old.

That was exactly my attitude when I took over the coaching job at Tigerland and assessed Kayne Pettifer’s playing career at the Club.

Kayne was Richmond’s No. 9 selection in the 2000 Draft, but it’s fair to say he hadn’t lived up to expectations in his first few seasons of league football. Two years on, however, and Kayne has become one of the Tigers’ most important players.

I see Graham Polak’s career developing along much the same lines.

We needed to look at a player that could hold down a key position for us – both in the short and long-term.

Graham can come in and assist the team straight away next season, but he’s also young enough to fit in well with our younger brigade and help them out for many years to come.

We’re rapt to have Graham on board and look forward to him having a long, successful career at Tigerland . . .

Part 2: Freo supporters thoughts

Assuming he is playing CHB - Brave, situation saving marking in the backline Bentleigh. He is quite happy to back into traffic when he is playing down back. He is also good in a contested situation, say if he is in a wrestle for a mark with a key forward. Also will be cool under pressure and not panic with the ball. Think of Jackovich a few years back - he reads the play very well from that position.

Like Jackovich, will get caught out sometimes on a fast leading forward, as he doesn't have the speed to go with them, but he is adept at holding them back a bit. Would be looking to him to play on guys like Lucas, Hansen, Hall, Brown, Riewoldt, Rocca. Don't however think he should play on guys like OLoughlin, Tarrant, Gerhig and Tredrea.
Polak always had a lot of potential with us, but he was very inconsistent and really lacked confidence this year. Over the past 2 years he has had a few knee, shoulder and groin injuries which have hampered his progress.

In his best years with us (probably 2003/2004) he was played in the backline and imo thats where he should always be played. He is one of the best contested marks in the league and has a great deal of courage backing back into packs. He can hold his own in one on one contests, but probably isn't strong enough yet to take on blokes like Gehrig and Hall (though if he puts on a few Kg... who knows). His skills are not too bad, but I think he is a bit rushed in his decision making sometimes.

In terms of playing him forward.... don't. He kicked a few goals here and there, but he has never been a good kick for goal and tends to go missing for long periods in the forward line. I would play him either as a CHB or pinch-hitting in the ruck.

For me Polly will always be the player that I was expecting to take the next step but never really did. I think the change of environment will do him the world of good and he'll play some good footy for Richmond though. Wallace will need to give him a clear goal and play him at CHB to get his confidence up. While I don't think he will ever be your number one defender, if he can reclaim his 2003 form he will be a valuable asset.

As I have said before, his best attribute is his mark, he just needs to sort out his off field problems and be backed in by your coaching staff. While I'm not too happy about losing him, you have to give quality to get quality.
One of the best third man up marks you will see when playing in the backline.
Reads the play well when playing in the backline.
Reasonable skills with hand and foot. But kicking lacks penetration.
Not a tight marking backman but usually gets to the contest to spoil.
Looks like a rabbit in a spotlight when taking a set shot for goal. And his conversion rate shows that.
Hasn't got a handle on when and where to lead when playing forward.
Dislikes the training track.
Has a big opinion of himself until the heat comes on. But does show great courage in marking contests.
Lazy...Needs to work out that his potential (and he has that in spades) will not be fulfilled until he gets his arse into gear.

Just my opinion.
Strengths -

Great mark - backing back and pack mark
Courageous
You can play him key position or as loose man (as 3rd man up he is wonderful)
Can pinch hit in the ruck - very handy for the games where your ruck is sidelined early
Mobile (but not on a hard leading forward)
When you play Sydney - park him in front of Hall

Weaknesses

Kicking for goal / even at times kicking 50m accurately
Can go missing for a quarter or half
Sometimes looks like he is lacking urgency - wont back pedal after taking a mark to get the ball on quickly
Appears disinterested at times - though I think he is growing out of it (I saw him play at WAFL this year and he looked like a bloke who was trying which is a great thing)

I think Richmond have done well. Dont listen to this Polhack stuff ...he will play (min) 150 games of AFL football - I have no doubt.

If you push for a flag in the next 5 years - I am sure Polly will be in the team as long as he can get his head right.
Superb mark and reads the play well. His kicking, and in particular his confidence in his kicking, isn't good. He often marks inside defensive 50 then goes back off the Denis Lillee run up because he doesn't want to rush the kick, allowing the opposition to get numbers back. He usually ends up kicking to a contest on the boundary because he doesn't have the confidence to spot up a target in the centre of the ground. You need to have your half backs/back pocket players running past to receive the handball after he takes a grab to keep the momentum going forward.

Will probably struggle on the more mobile forwards, he's not slow but doesn't have great pace off the mark. I'd expect Pavlich to kick a few goals against him.

Will be a good player, you picked him up cheap and if he finds confidence and improves his kicking he will be a very good player.
 

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Bentleigh

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Overview

Graham Polak: 22 years of age. 195/6cms. 94kg.

- #4 2001 draft (Judd/Hodge/Ball).
- 2nd in the 2003 Rising Star, beating the like of Ball and Wells (who were playing a lot better than they are this season).

To me, it is clear he is a footballer with much potential. Drafted highly and thought upon very highly (many pre-draft had him rated as the outstanding player of the crop) as a very talented player.

Although you expect him to say it he seems to have a good attitude to coming to the club and wanting to do well. Has signed a long deal , seems to have a great attitude, wants to train hard and continue to hit the gym and becoming more imposing.


The Deal

A couple year back Polak would have commanded much more than Tarrent did today. To get him for and only (more or less) downgrading from #8 to #13, in a draft where outside the top 3/4 there is alot of good, even talent, is good buisness IMO.

From what I can work out, this is what went down. Swapping first rounders with Freo, and out 3rd for their 4th, whilst slightly upgrading our 4th via Collingwood.

In: Polak, #13, #60
Out: #8, #42

Wallace has stated: "I now regard us as having gained two first-round picks, as well as a second-rounder, in our recruiting endeavors." - more so who would have cost alot more a season or so ago. I am viewing the situation much the same.

Plough has had to choose his words very carfully after promising to never again give away a high draft pick.

Pick #13 in a strong draft, and we have managed to keep out 2nd rounder - which i think is very important and an underated top move by Miller his possie. A risk, no doubt but one well worth taking.

Miller has impressed yet again. Knew what he wanted and needed to do and did it well.

Future

All of the sudden our future spine (post Richo and co.), along with that dreaded black spot on our list – KPP, mid 20’s is looking a lot better.

In fact, a little something like:

Code:
FB: Thursfeild
HB: Polak
HF: Hughes
FF: Schultz

Ruck: Pattison
Bar Thusty the spine that looks like taking us into the next decade were all highly rated: Hughes (#24 - 2005), Pattison (#20 - 2004) Schultz (#12 - 2003) & Polak (#3 - 2002).

With Wallaces 'types'; Deledio, Meyer, JON, Raines, Polo, Tambling, etc. tall, skilled, running fleet (that he has invisioned and been modling since day dot) working the other positions – and life isn’t looking too bad.

The future, is all of a sudden alot more rosie, for some of the slightly more pessimistic amounst us, like my self.


Polak the footballer.

Does Polak have the potential to be our young, gun KPP? Our Rivers, Glass, Rutten type?

All Australia CHB material?

At 196ish he is a great hight. Polak has hit the gym hard in recent times knowing he needs to get strong and is now a good 94kg and looking to get bigger with a Paddy Bowden or Raines being able to do the job on the faster forwards.

For a big feller he reads the game very well (abit like Whitnall), has a vice like grab, and about as brave as they come.

Of course, on the other hand he might just be an out and out dud, and if so we have not had to wage too much to get the lad at the club. However, I think all the facts point to he having potential. Getting to that potential is another kettle of fish - yet Wallace has shown he could draft in the like of Paddy Bowden, Simmonds and Raines, Tuck, Pettifer and co.

Even as a forward (pinch hitting or otherwise) there is worst options. Richo (CHF), Schultz (FF) with Polak as the 3rd man might stretch a defensive.


Post-Trade week, I feel the club is in a better postion both in the long and short term than we were 7 days ago.

Forza Graham Polak.

Welcome to Tigerland.
 

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#4
Bentleigh said:
Overview

Graham Polak: 22 years of age. 195/6cms. 94kg.

- #4 2001 draft (Judd/Hodge/Ball).
- 2nd in the 2003 Rising Star, beating the like of Ball and Wells (who were playing a lot better than they are this season).

To me, it is clear he is a football with much potential. Drafted highly and thought upon very highly (many pre-draft had him rated as the outstanding player of the crop) as a very talented player.
HAHAHAHAHA.

Couldn't read the rest that bit was too funny.

I know its dumb but that typo is so damn funny put right there.
Think about it, this guy is trying to put a serious perspective on this when he forgets to put "er" after it and it turn our to be a very funny line.

He definetly is a football with much potential.
 

tigerdan

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#6
Why do you always sabotage other threads that are already up and running? You've been doing it all year, since that 'pick a position' thread.

Surely no-ne can be that vain.
 

wart101

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#7
mini_me316 said:
HAHAHAHAHA.

Couldn't read the rest that bit was too funny.

I know its dumb but that typo is so damn funny put right there.
Think about it, this guy is trying to put a serious perspective on this when he forgets to put "er" after it and it turn our to be a very funny line.

He definetly is a football with much potential.
sorry bents, i read the whole lot i think your thoughts are great then i seen this thread and couldn't stop laughing. :D
 

wart101

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#8
tigerdan said:
Why do you always sabotage other threads that are already up and running? You've been doing it all year, since that 'pick a position' thread.

Surely no-ne can be that vain.
Thats a bit harsh DAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! bents is all right leave him alone.
 

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#9
Bentleigh is big enought to stick up for himself.

And I don't see why his post couldn't have gone in any of the other Polak threads.
 

Richo83

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#10
Well I liked it Bents, good work in dragging up anything to do with Polak from both sides, Fremantle and Richmond to get a balanced view on the guy.

The thing that made me stand up and notice was the word courage, which is a word that hasn't been associated with Richmond for the past decade or so, that and vice like hands, which means that he has an ability to catch what comes to him.

Although I am dissapointed we have lost our go at the top ten, and much will hinge on who we pick up with pick 13, it is good that we have kept onto our 2nd round pick and still have 4 picks on the top 60 like before the trade week. We have lost 23 spots in total in trading, but pick 42 isn't that much different to pick 60 even in this draft where after pick 40-50, its a gamble. Last year for example, pick 60 was Bartram, I'll take him thanks. The thing I worry about is the move from pick 8 to pick 13, will that have stopped us from getting a Selwood? Time will tell, I hope it doesn't.
 

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#11
tigerdan said:
Bentleigh is big enought to stick up for himself.

And I don't see why his post couldn't have gone in any of the other Polak threads.
I totally agree with what you are saying, but it does mean that when you add Bentleigh to your ignore list, as I have, you don't get disjointed conversations in threads.

It is easier to have his deposits in a concentrated area, rather than dispersed throughout our board. The same kind of theory that you may teach your dog not to dump on the lawn, but rather use the gravel at the back of the yard. These threads are like Bentleigh's gravel patch.
 

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wart101

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#12
Showbag said:
I totally agree with what you are saying, but it does mean that when you add Bentleigh to your ignore list, as I have, you don't get disjointed conversations in threads.

It is easier to have his deposits in a concentrated area, rather than dispersed throughout our board. The same kind of theory that you may teach your dog not to dump on the lawn, but rather use the gravel at the back of the yard. These threads are like Bentleigh's gravel patch.
HahAHaHahA, whatha hell, obviously he just wantd to make sure he's idea's didn't get lost in some huge thread that has been going for a week, don't worry bents, figgen LAMO's, it's these kinds of threads i find interesting and you obviously take the time, GOOD WORK!!!!!
 
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