Andrew Krakouer Biography

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley admits he needed to be better during a 2017 media conference about Heritier Lumumba's claims of racism at the club, claims which have been backed up by other former Magpies in Leon Davis and Andrew Krakouer.

"We don't want people to ever feel like they're diminished or vilified or seen as less than in our environment. If that is their experience, then it needs to be acknowledged. And for that, I think the club has said it apologises unreservedly.

"Obviously, I have been a part of this club for a long time so I don't like the fact that people have felt that way and I've got to - we've all got to - listen and learn more to the experiences and acknowledge them rather than dismissing them."

Andrew Krakouer joins the chorus of disgruntled footballers who have experienced racism at the club, recalling a time when he confronted teammates over a vile slur used as part of a joke.

"Straight away there were a number of emotions running through me. I was anxious, I was angry, I was annoyed, and in disbelief that I had just heard that in my own workplace and it was my own teammates who were making the racial slurs," Krakouer told NewsCorp.

"They were having a bit of a laugh and I walked over and I said: 'Would you guys mind telling me what is so funny?' They tried to sort of laugh it off."

Andrew Krakouer gives a raw and emotional account of his life story, part of which saw him jailed for 16 months for assault in 2008, during a podcast with Damian Barrett.

"It’s unfortunate in life, people make the wrong decisions, and at the time they may think it was the right one, that they had no other option," Krakouer said.

"In hindsight, I look back on mine and I understand whole-heartedly it was through no one else's actions but my own why I was in this situation, why I got incarcerated.

"There were no other factors but my own doing."

Alan Didak and Andrew Krakouer join Darren Jolly and Jordan Russell as Magpie delistings.

Didak, in particular, says he is still keen to continue his career at another club.

"I've had an incredible time at Collingwood. We won a lot of games, won a premiership and I met some lifelong friends," Didak said.

"I've got a lot to be thankful for and I know I'm going to miss playing in front of the black and white army. I owe them a lot. But I'm not ready for retirement."

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says Andrew Krakouer will be better for having taken time off from the club.

"You have people, who sometimes don't feel like they can front up to do what they need to do," Buckley said.

"Sometimes you have days where you need the break, you need to get away.

"We manage every one of our players in that regard. We want to get the best out of all of our players and that was the right call for Krak at the time."

Andrew Krakouer returns to Collingwood headquarters after leaving last week to deal with a personal issue.

Collingwood says Andrew Krakouer is taking a break from the club to deal with personal issues and will be back at training soon.

"He hasn't been at the club for a few days because he has got an issue back home that he has been sorting through," Collingwood spokesman Stephen Reilly said.

"He had a long chat to Bucks to explain the situation and he had a chat to the doctor today (Sunday).

"He has told them he will be back at training this week, but he is not sure exactly which day it will be just yet."

Collingwood vehemently denies rumours on social media that Andrew Krakouer has walked out on the club.

"We can say with certainty that it's simply not true that Andrew has walked out on the club," a spokesperson from the club said.

"He hasn't been at training for four or five days as a consequence of personal issues, and that's why he wasn't selected this week. But he is expected at training this week. He said as much today to the club."

Andrew Krakouer has taken a philosophical view on his stint in prison and hopes to turn his experience into a positive.

"Unfortunately there's always going to be people who get in trouble and find themselves in jail. But if I can use my experiences to help them in any kind of way and give them a little bit of hope I'm more than happy enough to put my hand up and do that," Krakouer said.

"I want to talk to people about getting through the dark times and dealing with their issues while they're incarcerated. I know myself that I was lucky enough to have a support structure with family and mates, but some inmates don't have as many people to turn to or as much to look forward to.

"It's about them realising that life does go on while you're inside. It's tough when you've got this black mark against your name to put it behind you and get your life going again."

Andrew Krakouer is finally cleared to join his teammates in the US after previously being denied entry because of visa restrictions.

"Last year, I didn't know I was going to be able make it so I thought it would have been my last year," Krakouer said.

"I've signed another year contract so I'm just going to take it a year at a time.

"Obviously I've got to get through this [pre-season], and I'm pretty sure that I will, and then get myself ready and make sure I have a good year."

Andrew Krakouer could again miss Collingwood's American pre-season camp in Arizona because of visa issues due to a criminal record.

"It's more unlikely but we're always hopeful," Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said.

"When it comes to border patrol, I'm not an expert on it but I do watch the show every now and then. I'm not an expert but if he's on the plane I'll be happy."

Andrew Krakouer and Brent Macaffer have signed one-year contract extensions with Collingwood.

Andrew Krakouer's manager Carlos da Costa claims the diminutive forward has plenty of AFL left in his tank and could play for another five years after overcoming personal problems and an arterior cruciate ligament injury.

"He 100 percent wants to play on. Coming back from that injury this year and being a vital part of their campaign, Andrew has a lot more years of football left in him," da Costa said.

"I think he has four or five years of footy left."

Andrew Krakouer will play his first game of the season against Essendon on Saturday after recovering from a knee reconstruction.

"It's just an absolute credit to him, the adversity he's faced and his ability to handle that, not perfectly - you're not human if you can just handle it without emotion, without feeling and just plough on," Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said.

"He's had his ups and downs and they've probably been more documented than any normal person should have to endure or handle.

"That's the strength of a football environment and club … we believe we've given fantastic support to 'Krak' since he's walked into the doors of the footy club, and we've got fantastic service from him in return."

Andrew Krakouer's hopes for a senior recall soar after a dominant 27-possession display in the VFL.

"But he's holding up his end of the bargain, he looks fit and he's been pulling up well (after games)," Collingwood VFL coach Tarkyn Lockyer said.

"That comes down to a match committee decision, but he's certainly given himself every opportunity."

Andrew Krakouer and Brent Macaffer made successful returns to the playing field on Saturday.

"I thought that understandably both guys looked a little bit hesitant early. They certainly looked more comfortable the longer the game went on," Collingwood VFL coach Tarkyn Lockyer said.

"The pleasing thing to come out of the game was to get them back and for them to get through the game unscathed."

Nathan Buckley says the Pies have received an emotional boost with the imminent return of some fan favourites in Andrew Krakouer and Brent Macaffer.

"At various times, the environment of a footy club is very challenging and there's plenty of times when you get knocked on your arse and it might be a bit flat around the place," Buckley said.

"But when you get two guys like 'Krak' and 'Caff' who have gone through what they've gone through, and then pushed through the other side … their teammates, their coaches and everyone around the footy club are enormously proud of what they've been able to achieve."

Knee reconstruction victims Andrew Krakouer and Brent Macaffer may return to the field within two weeks.

"They're doing full contact training, which is great," teammate Andrew Fasolo said.

"We don't really know if they'll get back … for anyone who does an ACL, you have to take a cautious approach. so we'll just wait and see.

"They've been out on the track doing a fair bit lately and it's incredible to see them out doing that already, so fingers crossed."

After undergoing pre-season knee reconstructions, Collingwood's Andrew Krakouer and Brent Macaffer will play within the month.

"He's actually been going really well, Andrew Krakouer," teammate Harry O'Brien told Perth radio 6PR.

"Himself and Brent Macaffer both did their knees within a week of each other in the pre-season. … and they're both well ahead of what we've expected.

"I know that's a bit of a cliché for people who do their knees now-a-days … but I can tell you right now, they'll be playing within the next month."

Injured Collingwood forward Andrew Krakouer says he has dealt with issues that saw him granted a leave of absence and is now back, refreshed and ready to work his way back from a knee reconstruction.

"I had a few little things going on off-field as well that I needed to take care of. The club and I came to an agreement that I just needed to take a few weeks off to handle those," he said.

"Luckily it only took me about a week or so to handle things and I was back into training and played a game within a week or a couple of weeks of leaving. There were just a few small issues there, but yeah they're all taken care of."

Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert says the club will strongly support Andrew Krakouer as he recovers from a knee reconstruction.

"There is no doubt the club is absolutely committed to Andrew," Pert said.

"I think he has a lot of footy left in him and he would be of the same thoughts."

Small forward Kirk Ugle is earmarked as a candidate fill the void left by Andrew Krakouer's season-ending knee injury.

"Throughout last year he made a lot of progress, and if he can continue along the same path we'd be expecting him to push pretty hard for senior selection," Collingwood development coach Tarkyn Lockyer said.

Eddie McGuire has blasted Andrew Krakouer's manager Peter Jess, saying Krakouer would want him to shut up after Jess was quoted in the Herald Sun as saying that his client was suffering from mental problems.

"There's been no previous incidents or belief that there's anything in that regard as far as Andrew's concerned," McGuire said.

"I know speaking to Andrew himself that he's very keen to just do this nice and quietly and in privacy, and I would have thought that maybe he'd be having a chat to his manager and just saying, 'Mate, shut up and just let us get on with things, let's get the knee operation out of the way, let's build our life together'."

Port Adelaide's David Rodan says Collingwood's Andrew Krakouer should shun a traditional knee reconstruction and opt for the LARS procedure.

"It's definitely something someone in their late 20s with only a few years left would definitely have to look at. The recovery rate is fantastic," Rodan said.

"If you're a younger player you could probably opt for the traditional method, but I'd definitely be pushing it to him if he wants to play for another few years."

Collingwood have ruled out LARS for Andrew Krakouer, opting instead for the more traditional knee reconstruction.

"Because of damage to the lateral ligament and the fact that it needs to be surgically repaired, LARS surgery is not an option," the club said in a statement.

Concerns have also been raised over Krakouer's mental health due to repeated knocks to the head.

"It is quite clear that if you've had multiple hits to the head, there can be a causal relationship with mental health issues," Krakouer's manager Peter Jess.

"There are studies in the US and studies being conducted here now that clearly demonstrate that it can then manifest itself into the onset of early dementia, functional behaviour and depressive states.

"That's clear and we're not ruling that out as a reason to why things have happened in the last two or three months (to Krakouer). You can't rule it out."

Collingwood forward Andrew Krakouer ruptures his anterior cruciate ligament during a VFL practice match in Geelong and will explore the option of the LARS procedure to expedite his return.

"Andrew and the club will explore all options, including LARS," Krakouer's manager Peter Jess said.

"Andrew is positive and upbeat and is receiving great support from the club."

Andrew Krakouer returns to training with the Magpies in a move that Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says was planned.

"It's part of the plan. We won't be giving blow by blows on where Krak is at," Buckley said.

"We've released a statement about his month to himself to make sure he gets things sorted, and things are on schedule. [I'm] in constant contact with Krak and the welfare of all our players is important, and he's no different."

Collingwood has granted forward Andrew Krakouer a four-week leave of absence to deal with personal issues.

"The issues that Andrew is dealing with are of a personal nature, and we will be supporting him in every way possible during this period," Collingwood director of football Geoff Walsh said.

"Andrew is held in high regard at Collingwood and we look forward to his return to team training in due course."

Pie Andrew Krakouer will wear the same number his father Jim wore for North and St Kilda.

"My dad wore it when he was at North Melbourne and I also wore it a couple of years ago in the black and white for [WAFL team] Swan Districts and we won a flag and that year wasn't too bad," Krakouer said.

"The opportunity came up to get into the No. 3 again and I was happy to get into it. He's pretty proud and I've had a bit of a chat to him and he's very happy."

Andrew Krakouer's manager Peter Jess says his client wants a share of the revenue generated by images of his stunning Mark of the Year.

Up to 100 copies of signed Krakouer Mark of the Year memorabilia is being sold by Collingwood for $495 a piece.

"He doesn't own the rights to the image. He just wants what is right and reasonable," Jess said.

"Collingwood say they are just following guidelines. The AFLPA has said that's all well and good, but the club doesn't have to adhere to that, they could increase the take to the player."

Andrew Krakouer would not be on the verge of Grand Final glory if not for the 16 months he spent in jail, says his mentor and former football manager Greg Miller.

"The biggest thing is that this (has been achieved) through his own ability and what has happened to him ... he took it on board and used it as a springboard for the rest of his life," Miller said.

"It was just a fantastic response. His attitude was not to blame anyone, but to learn the strong lessons. Those who visited him in jail saw that man and saw that attitude."

Andrew Krakouer's Round 9 grab against Adelaide is named the AFL's mark of the year.

Andrew Krakouer speaks about his 18-month prison sentence for assault to ONE HD's The Game Plan.

"Your freedom is taken away from you and it's like you're living in another world. It was quite tough, but you look back on it and learn from it, and coming out of there made me a stronger person," he said.

"I am more mature and I've learned not to take things for granted. I think I've come out the other side a better person."

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire says he was so outraged by racist remarks directed at Andrew Krakouer he intervened.

"It was aimed at Krakouer. It was the second time he had a go at Krakouer," McGuire said.

"We've gone past that situation where we allow people to do that. And if it was in our cheer squad it would be the same thing. There are still idiots at the football who do this at all clubs. So we just have to make sure it's a zero tolerance."

Former Richmond forward Andrew Krakouer will join Collingwood on Thursday after the Gold Coast agreed to pre-list him and trade him to the Magpies.

"Derek Hine and our recruiting boys have been pretty impressed with him early on and have followed him pretty closely," Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh said.

"I know Derek has spent a bit of time talking to him and it's certainly been pretty well documented this year that his season in the WAFL has been nothing short of sensational."

Former Richmond forward Andrew Krakouer says he wants another opportunity to play at AFL level after serving time for assault.

"The time I spent away (in prison) I didn't have that intense training and contact with the body all the time," Krakouer said.

"I think it might have (helped prolong my career). The body's feeling fresh and good. This is the best footy I've ever played. If something came up it would be great. 'If an opportunity came up wherever, you'd love to have a crack at it."

Former Richmond goalsneak Andrew Krakouer says he wants another crack at playing AFL footy after dominating in the WAFL since being released from prison.

"Over the last couple of years there has been a few mature-age boys picked up and that certainly puts a different light on it," Krakouer said.

"A lot of people think once you hit your early 20s or mid-20s you haven't got a chance, but you never know what can happen.

"But something like that, if it was to happen, is a long way off. If something eventuates down the track I'll have to look at it and reassess it. I've just got to play my part for the team and make sure I keep doing what I'm doing."

Victims groups have described prison footy teams such as the one former Tiger Andrew Krakouer play in, as a "farce".

"This is somebody who is supposed to be serving a penalty for a serious crime and yet they're allowed to still participate in normal life. It just seems a bit of a farce," Jean Wilby, from the West Australian Homicide Victims Support Group, said.

"This was obviously not a homicide but it is frustrating that people are allowed out to do the normal things, the pleasure things, when they're supposed to be serving a penalty."

Jailed former Richmond footballer Andrew Krakouer is let out each weekend to play in a prison team.

Krakouer, who played 102 games for the Tigers before being jailed for a minimum 16 months last year for an assault outside a Fremantle nightclub in 2006, is proving to be the star of the team of inmates that is undefeated in the suburban Mercantile Football League

Former Tiger Andrew Krakouer is found guilty of assaulting a Perth man with intent to do him bodily harm and faces a possible jail sentence.

Krakouer's brother, Tyrone Krakouer, is also implicated in the assault of Justin Martin, 24, in a Fremantle carpark in December of 2006.