JANUARY, a training session on a baking Melbourne morning. A player takes a looping handball over the top of a defender in a blue vest, sizes up the goals, then slots it from 30 metres on a 60-degree angle.It would be standard summer fare, if the player kicking truly wasn’t Graham Polak.Polak is coming back from a serious brain injury after being hit by a tram mid-season last year, and the fact that he is able to take to the training track is amazing enough.Late last year, when he granted an exclusive interview to richmondfc.com.au, his skills were poor and he was just glad to be back as part of the group.

Now, he’s back slotting them from the forward pocket.

Another on the recovery trail is Mark Coughlan. Two knee reconstructions in 2006 and 2007 left him with chronic hamstring problems, which resulted in the club sending him to Germany for treatment last year.

His rehabilitation was so good that he played a string of VFL matches to close out the year and has been terrific all pre-season.

Assistant coach Brian Royal said his progress was heartening.

"He's going fantastic, he's actually surprised us how well he's going and he's certainly in contention for NAB (Cup round) one," Royal said on Wednesday.

Brett Deledio was another rapt with his fellow midfielder’s progress.

“If you watch him closely at training, I don’t think he’s missed a beat right through the pre-season,” the 21-year-old said.

“He’s done all the running, he seems as agile as ever, and what can I say? He’s going really well.”