TonyK
CibbuanoClub deeply affected by tragedy, says March
June 30th 2008 06:48
RICHMOND president Gary March says the entire club has been deeply affected by the serious accident suffered by utility Graham Polak.
Polak was struck by a tram while running to get into a taxi with Hughes and McMahon at about 11.30pm on Saturday night in the inner Melbourne suburb of Armadale.
The Richmond players and staff began counselling on Monday afternoon as it was revealed that Polak was on the improve.
The 24-year-old regained consciousness at Melbourne's Alfred Hospital on Monday morning and is showing improved signs but it won't be known for a while as to whether or not he will make a full recovery.
March said Polak was highly respected within the club and that the accident, which occurred on the same day as the club officially celebrated its AFL centenary and just hours after the round 14 loss to Carlton at the MCG had affected everyone.
"Obviously when something like this happens and one of your own family goes down in such a horrific accident, it really does affect the entire club," he said on Monday.
"Graham is a much-loved player around the club, he has got great character and he is a really good guy."
"(But) hopefully we can get through this as a club and it will make us stronger."
"Hopefully we can see Graham back to full health in the near future."
March said the club was particularly concerned about the mental state of fellow players Cleve Hughes and Jordan McMahon who were with Polak on the night of the incident.
"They (the players) are obviously visibly shaken by the incident," he said.
"We are particularly concerned for Cleve Hughes and Jordan McMahon who were at the scene - their health and their mental stage - and we are going to monitor that."
March said Hughes' family has come across from Adelaide to comfort him following the accident.
"For a young boy like Cleve - he is only 20 years of age - to see that, it is a life-changing experience."
"Cleve is in a reasonable frame of mind but quite traumatised having been on the scene."
March said the the club would not conduct an investigation as to how Polak came to be struck by the tram, saying they were happy to leave that matter to the authorities.
Polak was struck by a tram while running to get into a taxi with Hughes and McMahon at about 11.30pm on Saturday night in the inner Melbourne suburb of Armadale.
The Richmond players and staff began counselling on Monday afternoon as it was revealed that Polak was on the improve.
The 24-year-old regained consciousness at Melbourne's Alfred Hospital on Monday morning and is showing improved signs but it won't be known for a while as to whether or not he will make a full recovery.
March said Polak was highly respected within the club and that the accident, which occurred on the same day as the club officially celebrated its AFL centenary and just hours after the round 14 loss to Carlton at the MCG had affected everyone.
"Obviously when something like this happens and one of your own family goes down in such a horrific accident, it really does affect the entire club," he said on Monday.
"Graham is a much-loved player around the club, he has got great character and he is a really good guy."
"(But) hopefully we can get through this as a club and it will make us stronger."
"Hopefully we can see Graham back to full health in the near future."
March said the club was particularly concerned about the mental state of fellow players Cleve Hughes and Jordan McMahon who were with Polak on the night of the incident.
"They (the players) are obviously visibly shaken by the incident," he said.
"We are particularly concerned for Cleve Hughes and Jordan McMahon who were at the scene - their health and their mental stage - and we are going to monitor that."
March said Hughes' family has come across from Adelaide to comfort him following the accident.
"For a young boy like Cleve - he is only 20 years of age - to see that, it is a life-changing experience."
"Cleve is in a reasonable frame of mind but quite traumatised having been on the scene."
March said the the club would not conduct an investigation as to how Polak came to be struck by the tram, saying they were happy to leave that matter to the authorities.
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