Polak backs out of Kambalda stint
Former Fremantle and Richmond star Graham Polak has backed out of a deal to play the remainder of the Goldfields Football League season for Kambalda.
Polak was due to make his debut for the Eagles in Sunday's clash with Kalgoorlie, but had a change of heart on Monday because of health concerns.
Six years ago, Polak - then with Richmond - was placed in an induced coma when he suffered bruising to his brain after being hit by a tram in Melbourne.
He eventually made a successful return, with his AFL career spanning 111 games over nine seasons.
"His family were too anxious about him playing footy again," Kambalda coach Justin Tarasinski said.
"Initially, his family had given him the green light (to play), but I think when he told them he was playing this weekend, it hit home.
"When he has been through what he's been through, you can't knock him for it."
Polak was initially poached by Kambalda after learning he was working in the region.
The Eagles then finalised paperwork to clear Polak before the June 30 player clearance deadline and had negotiated arrangements for compensation surrounding his work commitments.
Tarasinski said Polak had been to a number of training sessions and was set to pull on the boots for the first time at tomorrow night's session.
"He was really interested," he said.
"We're pretty gutted because he would have been a massive addition to the forward line.
"It's a tough one and one we're still trying to process."
The Eagles slipped to the bottom of the ladder after Boulder upset Mines Rovers at the weekend.
The result leaves Kambalda trailing the Tigers on percentage with the Diorites' advantage in third spot reduced to a win and percentage.
Tarasinski said the Eagles, looking to contest consecutive finals campaigns, would attempt to secure Polak's services as part of the coaching hierarchy.
"The goal now will be to get him on board," he said.
"Hopefully we can get him to help us out … his knowledge will be invaluable and we'll keep chipping away at him."
