Richmond star Graham Polak admits he is the luckiest man alive and says a split second may have saved his life.

The 24-year-old suffered brain damage when he ran into the path of a tram and initially family, friends and teammates held grave fears for his health, but the key position player has made a steady recovery.

Speaking for the first time in the five months since the accident, Polak told News Limited that being hit by the mirror and not the full force of the tram probably saved his life.

"I am the luckiest man alive. If I had been hit front-on it might have ended up much worse," Polak told the Sunday Herald Sun.

"I could have ended up under the tram."

Polak, who has since rejoined his teammates, says his main aim is to get onto the field at the MCG and acknowledges he still has a long way to go before he is fully recovered.

"I'm really enjoying being with the boys at the club. It's given me a lift," he said.

"I'd love to play again but it's not the be-all and end-all. The main thing is I am alive."

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