Graham Polak

[LongBombFromOutside50]

When should he be played at CHF?

He played in the forward line in his junior days and will be really damaging if he ends up playing there for us with his strong aerial ability, pace and ability to take contested marks. IIRC, he kicked six goals in his debut for the senior Sharks team as a 17 year old.

For the time being though, I think it's good leaving him in defence. It lets him learn to read the play as well as learn when and where to lead and when to leap from some of the quality forwards he plays against.

And when he does move to CHF, where does that leave Croad? Will it be possible to have three talls in our forward line with Longmuir, Croad and Polak? Or would it be better if Croad moved back into defence?

 

[Kenny_01]

I think over time, Croad will move to defence and Polak up forward. It's harder playing up forward so hopefully with Croad playing there, he will find it easier in defence.

I'd move Polak there at the start of next season, and Croad to defence then. It will give him time to practice playing there over the pre-season rather than just throwing him in there now.

 

[sabre_ac]

Polak is what 18 years old?
Playing up forward is far more damaging and harder on the body, sure the kid can take a good mark but I would give him time to develop physically before I sent him foward.
Its not like we short of Goal kicking forwards atm.
I would be thinking about putting McParhlin forward before Polak.

 

[Ripper]

Originally posted by Kenny_01
I think over time, Croad will move to defence and Polak up forward.

I think you are on the money Kenny. All this building for the future talk of CC's is correct IMO. By playing Polly back and Croadie forward they are learning from their mistakes against the best defenfers/forwards in the comp which will be of benifit in the long run.

 

[aesop]

Polak could dominate FB, CHB, but there is no doubt that he is being groomed for a key forward role.

His pack marking is exceptional and I agree with the comparisons that people drew to Stephen Kernahan, during Pollie's junior days.

Until then, I hope that this week Riewoldt plays at CHF and that Connoly gives Pollie the job on him.

 

[zero]

is he tho? the saying goes "great forwards are born, great backmen are made"

all kids that get to AFL level have dominated the games in their junior days, and hence nearly everyone who gets to the top level came thru the ranks as forwards or goal kicking midfielders.

but hard decisions need to be made at the senior level, as in, do we take this athletic intelligent tall forward we have and train him as a backman? ashley macintosh is a prime example. id wager they are grooming polak to take a key backman role, probably for about 10 years.

and its probably a wise choice, the docks have enough quality tall and fast moving backman now to develop into a really great defence. i mean, add two years and 40 games to mcpharlin, polak, woods, hayden, hadrill and parker and you have a kickass backline.

 

[trent_croad_24]

I think Polak should stay where he is for now. Right now he needs experience playing. Connoly should let im played up foward a bit, but predominatley in defence.

I dont if it is just me, but don't u think he looks like Croadie??

 

[LongBombFromOutside50]

Originally posted by Kenny_01
I'd move Polak there at the start of next season, and Croad to defence then. It will give him time to practice playing there over the pre-season rather than just throwing him in there now.

I agree Polak should be moved to CHF at the start of next season. At the moment he's still very raw and it would be too tough for him physically if he was to play a whole season at CHF. Playing at CHF is much harder than playing on the opposition's second best tall defender. Jonathan Brown and Nick Riewoldt were able to dominate CHF in just their second seasons, but people must realise that Riewoldt and particularly Brown were already phycially imposing figures. Hopefully over the next pre-season Polak will develop some more strength and body mass to allow him to hold down CHF for 2004 and be able to cop the constant scragging and phyiscal attention from defenders.

Polak vs Riewoldt will be great to watch.