Richmond player Polak in serious condition

Xavi6

Richmond player Graham Polak is in a serious condition in hospital after being struck by a tram outside his home on Saturday night.

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Polak responding to touch

30th June 2008, 8:45 WST

Former Fremantle Docker Graham Polak has responded to touch, a spokesman said this morning.

However, Richmond Football Club media manager Judith Donnelly said media reports that the Richmond defender had emerged from a coma could not be confirmed.

She said no further information could be provided until the club doctor emerged from a meeting with hospital medical staff.

The Richmond Football Club is expected to make a statement this morning about Polak's condition.

Polak has been in Melbourne's Alfred Hospital since he was hit by a tram in Melbourne on Saturday night.

His family and partner Alyce remain at his bedside.

A hospital spokesman said Polak's condition was serious but stable and he remained in an induced coma.

Richmond club doctor Greg Hickey said it was expected Polak would be in hospital for some time.

"Whether he will need a period of rehabilitation after that in some sort of other facility I'm not sure," Hickey said.

"Things are going to change very quickly over the next few days.

"Long-term, it's very hard to say - these things can take some months to settle down and get a clearer picture of where he's at.

"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."

Richmond football manager Greg Miller said on Sunday it was unclear whether alcohol was involved in the incident, but that wasn't a concern for the club.

Polak was crossing the intersection of Orrong and Dandenong roads at Armadale about 11pm (AEST) on Saturday when he was hit.

Team-mates Cleve Hughes and Jordan McMahon were with Polak at the time.

Polak has played 11 games for Richmond this season for a career total of 106. He joined Richmond from Fremantle in late 2006 and last year finished seventh in the Tigers' best-and-fairest award.

MELBOURNE
AAP

Horrible story. Hopefully he can make a full and speedy recovery.

hanton12

some better news anyway with regards to Polak, he is out of intensive care and has been walking a few steps and talking to people, so looks to be out of serious danger anyway.

One Cold Hand

Glad to see he's okay. Sounds like it was a pretty serious accident. When I heard he was hit by a tram I though, 'ah sure, he'll be grand.' But seems like he has a long way to go before he plays footie again.

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