He was nominated for the AFL Rising Star award in Round 9 and finished second in the end of year voting behind Sam Mitchell and ahead of Luke Ball and Daniel Wells.
He was recalled in round 3 of 2006, and due to injuries to Aaron Sandilands and Justin Longmuir, was often played in the new role of a ruckman, but still only managed 11 games for the season, and was overlooked for the finals.
Late on 28 June 2008, Polak was struck by a Melbourne tram, and was placed in an induced coma with bruising to the brain, putting his football career in jeopardy.
[5] Polak returned to training during the 2009 pre-season and was selected to play in a NAB Challenge practice match against St Kilda.
On 26 June 2010 and 31 July 2010 Polak suffered concussions while playing for Coburg in the VFL, again putting his football career in jeopardy.