Graham Polak Biography

Richmond's Graham Polak has retired, little more than two years after the tram accident that almost claimed his life.

"I was actually watching 60 Minutes last Sunday and they had this story on brain injuries in the various football codes. I saw this guy, who had brain damage from a hit he'd taken playing rugby league ... I've had more knocks than him, plus I've already suffered a brain injury, in the accident with the tram," Polak said.

"So that pretty much triggered me into making the decision to retire. After seeing the story, and talking with my partner, Alyce, I realised that life's more important. I don't want to grow up as a person who can't play with his kids."

Mature-age rookie Graham Polak is elevated to Richmond's senior list along with indigenous forward Relton Roberts.

"I was really excited when I heard the news," Polak said.

"I am really grateful to the club and all the Richmond fans. I couldn't have got through this difficult time without my family, (fiancee) Alyce and my teammates."

Richmond has delisted Graham Polak but still has the option of redrafting him as a mature-aged rookie.

"We will investigate the opportunity of offering Graham Polak a position on our rookie list through the 2009 Rookie Draft, but this will obviously not be confirmed until after the draft has taken place'', Richmond general manager of football Craig Cameron said.

Richmond has cut Graham Polak, Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls, Cleve Hughes, Nathan Brown, Mark Coughlan, Kayne Pettifer, Adam Pattison, Dean Putt and Jarrod Silvester.

Graham Polak is out of contract but says he is determined to continue with Richmond next year.

"I felt like I exceeded what I was expected to do and I can only build on that from now," Polak said.

"If I get the chance to stay, I'll be taking that with both hands and look forward to playing more good footy."

Richmond's Graham Polak can now afford to look back on his tram accident with some humour.

"I laugh about it now. I know it was a serious, but I can't sit there and let it get me down my whole life," Polak said.

"I have to get over it some time. I laugh and say, 'How can I get hit by a tram that's stuck on two tracks?'. It was a silly thing of mine, but I've got a good story to tell my kids and grandkids."

Richmond defender Graham Polak says he's relieved to be back playing at the top level after his 2008 tram accident.

"I can't wait to get back out there, and show them I still can play footy - it's going to be a real buzz and I'm looking forward to it," he said.

"It'll be a big relief to be able to get back, I'll run out with a smile on my face."

Graham Polak will be selected for Richmond's clash with Hawthorn this weekend, nearly 14 months after he was hit by a tram.

"I was so excited when Jade Rawlings told me the news late this afternoon. It's been my dream to be able to get back and play a game at the MCG," Polak said.

"The support of my fellow players, my family, management and all the staff at the Richmond Football Club over the past year has been amazing and has helped me through some incredibly tough times.

"I can't wait to get out there with my teammates and play my heart out and whatever happens in the future, I am really proud of myself for making it this far."

Graham Polak wants to prove his doctors wrong by playing AFL football before the end of the season.

"At the start of the year I sat down with a doctor from the Epworth and asked him 'Honestly, do you think I'll be able to get back this year'?," Polak said.

"He said 'Honestly mate, I don't think you could'.

"To be back straight away playing some good footy now, I've hopefully proven them wrong, the critics wrong and everyone else wrong.

"I'm feeling great at the moment and I look forward to the opportunity to come."

Graham Polak needs to prove he can still hold down key position if he is to win senior berth with Richmond.

Polak, who was put in a medically induced coma for two days after being hit by a tram just over a year ago, received glowing praise from Coburg coach Craig McRae after his outstanding weekend performance playing in the ruck and on a wing.

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

Richmond's Graham Polak made a successful comeback to AFL in the Tigers 52-point loss to St Kilda in Shepparton.

Graham Polak will play less than three months after Richmond sought to have him placed on the rookie list.

St Kilda will treat Richmond's Graham Polak like any other opponent when he makes his comeback tomorrow night.

Richmond is looking to place Graham Polak on its long-term injury list and promote its gun VFL rookie Robin Nahas.

Richmond's Graham Polak will today play his first competitive game of football since being hit by a tram in late June last year.

Hundreds of Tigers fans have gathered at Punt Road to see Ben Cousins and Graham Polak take to the field in a practice match.

Graham Polak has zoomed into 2009 on a wave of romance - he dressed up as Santa to propose to long-time girlfriend Alyce Oksuz, and she said "Yes".

Richmond's bid to recruit Ben Cousins has hit a hurdle, with the AFL stopping it from placing Graham Polak on the rookie list.

Fremantle will oppose Richmond's application to move injured forward Graham Polak on to the rookie list, in what looms as a potential road block for Ben Cousins.

Richmond's bid to transfer Graham Polak to its rookie list has drawn mixed reactions from rival clubs suspicious of its timing and motives.

Richmond wants permission to put Graham Polak on the rookie list, potentially clearing the way for Ben Cousins.

Graham Polak is discharged from hospital where he has been recuperating since late June from brain injuries sustained after being hit by a tram.

"Graham still has a very long way to go with his recovery and will be undergoing extensive rehabilitation in the coming weeks," Richmond club doctor Greg Hickey said in a statement.

Graham Polak is badly injured after being hit by a tram in Melbourne while crossing the intersection of Orrong and Dandenong roads at Armadale late in the night.

Polak is placed into an induced coma at the Alfred Hospital after suffering bruising to the brain.

Doctors describe Polak as being in a critical, but stable condition. Polak is not expected to play football again this season.

"In terms of footy, it is unquestionable. He won't play this season - longer term beyond that, we'll just have to wait and see," Dr. Greg Hickey of the Alfred Hospital said.

Polak's condition continues to improve from critical to satisfactory as he responds well to tests and to family members who have travelled from Perth to be with him.

Jay Schulz, Troy Simmonds and Graham Polak are injured in Richmond's pre-season win over the Swans.

Schulz damaged his ribs after colliding with teammate Matthew Richardson while Polak has a bruised heel. Simmonds has some quad tightness.

X-rays later reveal Schulz as having sustained a crack rib. Schulz will miss Richmond's practice match against Geelong but should be available for their round 1 match against Carlton.

Simmonds has been cleared to play while Polak may also miss the practice match against Geelong.