Murray MiddletonRound Fourteen
June 29th 2008 13:01
On Saturday night I was at a friend’s house watching the football when I proposed a column that I was going to write this week. I was going to draw a comparison between the plights of St.Kilda’s Justin Koschitzke and Richmond’s Graham Polak. There are several parallels between the players. Both were top five draft picks. In their early year both demonstrated remarkable athletic ability. Both were instantly touted as future stars. Neither player has delivered on their promise. Neither player has found a position to play in. Neither player plays with any confidence. And worst of all, both Koschitzke and Polak have been struck down by freak injuries in recent years.
In a cruel twist of fate, Graham Polak was struck by a tram on Saturday night in front of teammates Jordan McMahon and Cleve Hughes. He remains in a medically induced coma. His life, let alone his football future, is in the balance. Hopefully he makes a full recovery, regardless of whether this involves playing football again. There would be nothing nicer than seeing Polak, a tremendous athlete, return to the competition some day to repay the faith that the Tigers have shown in him.
The weekend ought to have been a celebration for the Tigers. They were playing Carlton; a side they beat by five goals earlier in the season. The club was also on the back of a two-game winning streak. A third successive win would have ensured that the Tigers stayed in touch with the top eight. In an added incentive, Chris Judd – Carlton’s captain and best player – was not playing. There were no excuses for the Tigers. Unfortunately, there was a ten goal turnaround on the result from round one this season. Once more Richmond let their supporters down by wasting early opportunities which came back to bite them.
Matthew Richardson injured his hamstring at the beginning of the final quarter. He failed to return to the field. The Tigers looked hopeless without him. It may be a sign of what is to come when Richardson finally retires. ‘Richo’ is thirty-three years old. Terry Wallace moved him to the wing in round four. The move paid instance dividends. He has been one of the best players in the competition this season and is probably coming third behind Gary Ablett and Adam Cooney in the Brownlow Medal.
While Richardson’s form has been red hot, there is little doubt that the running required of him has taken its tole. Richardson has made it through the past month by receiving pain-killing injections in his knee. The hamstring injury was sustained while chasing an opponent on the half back flank. Although it showed great commitment on the player’s behalf, no thirty-three year old full forward should be doing that much chasing. While Wallace deserves to be complemented for trying something different, it is time that he sends ‘Richo’ back to full forward.
The weekend was a disaster for Richmond. News of Polak’s condition will help to keep the spotlight away from their poor on-field performance. They have lost two of their best tall players and put a huge dent in their finals chances. It is an all too familiar tale, but one that is perhaps reflective of the state the club is in. Last Monday night Caroline Wilson – an avid Richmond supporter - threw her support behind Terry Wallace. He is a good match day coach who is gradually moving the club in the right direction. Wallace will be hurting right now for a number of reasons. Time is running out.
At times like these the club would be best to look for positives. There is one: Trent Cotchin. Cotchin is already one of the Tiger’s best players. He moves with the class of a seasoned performer. During the past month he has shown why he was considered a possible number one draft choice ahead of Matthew Kreuzer. Cotchin seems to have more time than other players. His evasive skills, particular the way he shuffles his hips, are reminiscent of Robert Harvey during the prime of his career. Watching Cotchin play is a pleasure. He should be a star for years to come. But as Saturday night showed, a club like Richmond can never take anything for granted.
In a cruel twist of fate, Graham Polak was struck by a tram on Saturday night in front of teammates Jordan McMahon and Cleve Hughes. He remains in a medically induced coma. His life, let alone his football future, is in the balance. Hopefully he makes a full recovery, regardless of whether this involves playing football again. There would be nothing nicer than seeing Polak, a tremendous athlete, return to the competition some day to repay the faith that the Tigers have shown in him.
The weekend ought to have been a celebration for the Tigers. They were playing Carlton; a side they beat by five goals earlier in the season. The club was also on the back of a two-game winning streak. A third successive win would have ensured that the Tigers stayed in touch with the top eight. In an added incentive, Chris Judd – Carlton’s captain and best player – was not playing. There were no excuses for the Tigers. Unfortunately, there was a ten goal turnaround on the result from round one this season. Once more Richmond let their supporters down by wasting early opportunities which came back to bite them.
Matthew Richardson injured his hamstring at the beginning of the final quarter. He failed to return to the field. The Tigers looked hopeless without him. It may be a sign of what is to come when Richardson finally retires. ‘Richo’ is thirty-three years old. Terry Wallace moved him to the wing in round four. The move paid instance dividends. He has been one of the best players in the competition this season and is probably coming third behind Gary Ablett and Adam Cooney in the Brownlow Medal.
While Richardson’s form has been red hot, there is little doubt that the running required of him has taken its tole. Richardson has made it through the past month by receiving pain-killing injections in his knee. The hamstring injury was sustained while chasing an opponent on the half back flank. Although it showed great commitment on the player’s behalf, no thirty-three year old full forward should be doing that much chasing. While Wallace deserves to be complemented for trying something different, it is time that he sends ‘Richo’ back to full forward.
The weekend was a disaster for Richmond. News of Polak’s condition will help to keep the spotlight away from their poor on-field performance. They have lost two of their best tall players and put a huge dent in their finals chances. It is an all too familiar tale, but one that is perhaps reflective of the state the club is in. Last Monday night Caroline Wilson – an avid Richmond supporter - threw her support behind Terry Wallace. He is a good match day coach who is gradually moving the club in the right direction. Wallace will be hurting right now for a number of reasons. Time is running out.
At times like these the club would be best to look for positives. There is one: Trent Cotchin. Cotchin is already one of the Tiger’s best players. He moves with the class of a seasoned performer. During the past month he has shown why he was considered a possible number one draft choice ahead of Matthew Kreuzer. Cotchin seems to have more time than other players. His evasive skills, particular the way he shuffles his hips, are reminiscent of Robert Harvey during the prime of his career. Watching Cotchin play is a pleasure. He should be a star for years to come. But as Saturday night showed, a club like Richmond can never take anything for granted.
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