Mick Malthouse described Andrew Krakouer as “such a beautiful kid.” Eagles champion Peter Matera said “Everyone loved him on the footy field and we loved him off the field.” So why did this gentle, quiet kid kick a man into a coma?
The sentencing judge at his trial couldn’t believe that a person before her with no previous history of violence and such glowing references could have committed such a “brutal and cowardly” act.
In summing up she said, “It is still a mystery to me as to why you went over the top that night … there might be some underlying issues there.”
One of those issues you would think might be his father. Krakouer was just 11 years old when his dad, champion North Melbourne footballer Jim Krakouer, went to jail for nine years.
Despite the absence of a father during his formative years, Andrew went on to play for Richmond. His dad wasn’t one of the 77,000 people at the MCG who saw his son kick two goals on debut against Essendon in 2001.
It is some achievement for an indigenous player to make it to the AFL. Firstly, the game’s urban home is an alien one to kids from the Northern Territory and rural Western Australia.
In the past many have struggled to adapt to their new surroundings without the support of mentors and their extended family, or partners who refuse to move away from their own families.
Secondly, the fully professional defence-driven style of football is almost unrecognisable to those accustomed to playing in carefree skill-fests.
And then for those who made the difficult transition – usually out-and-out stars – and enjoyed full AFL careers, there was the entrenched culture of racism.
There has always been a sense of unease in indigenous players’ relationships with their AFL careers. Although proud of making it to the elite level, they don’t always appear entirely comfortable with it.
Adored for their skills on the football field, they still suspect an underlying contempt for their heritage, even among their fans and teammates.
When St Kilda’s Nicky Winmar lifted his jumper and pointed to his chest in front of the contemptuous Collingwood crowd, he could easily have been standing in front of those Saints supporters he had heard racially denigrating his Aboriginal opponents.
Krakouer, though, appeared settled during his time at Richmond. He didn’t claim publically that he was the target of racism, nor did he exhibit the restlessness and homesickness that afflicted his cousin Nathan.
But then, outside a Fremantle nightclub in December 2006, he and his younger brother Tyrone set upon a young man, cracking his eye socket and damaging his kidneys.
Krakouer’s game began to fall apart in 2007 as he awaited trial.
When he went to prison his two daughters were younger than he was when his father was incarcerated. It was family that sustained him while in prison: “Footy was the furthest thing from my mind. Being away from my girls was the hardest thing.”
But it seems it was family that had put him there in the first place. The assault was a result of a long-standing feud between female members of two families, which had included a king-hit on Krakouer in 2001 by the man he subsequently assaulted.
The father of the man attacked described the affair as “A bit of tribal punishment going on, but if justice is seen to be done then we’ll be happy with that.”
Krakouer’s football career was understandably deemed to be over. “Like his father before him, former Richmond AFL star Andrew Krakouer will almost certainly end an illustrious footballing career with a stint in jail,” ran one of the features.
Amazingly though, he was picked up by reigning premiers Collingwood, after producing one of the most dominant seasons by an individual player in the history of the WAFL.
Despite having to complete his first pre-season in near isolation (he was refused a US visa and so was unable to attend the club’s famed Arizona camp) he blossomed, forming a close relationship with Leon Davis and mentor Mick Malthouse. On television, he was asked often about his time in jail and his second chance. He was shy but forthcoming. He appeared content.
But then things began to unravel.
In October Davis made the shock announcement that he was leaving the club to be with his family. It was suggested the All Australian was insulted by a reduced salary offer from the Pies.
In November, Krakouer’s manager Peter Jess made an unsuccessful approach to the club to grant his client a greater percentage of earnings gained from his Mark of the Year award. It is believed he is on base payments.
According to the club, Krakouer returned from the off-season overweight and troubled, and they have given him four weeks leave.
It was insinuated that the problems lay with family and money, but Mick Malthouse, genuinely concerned about Krakouer’s welfare, added another dimension. “I think we’ve just got to be so, so careful,” Malthouse said. “This could be a state of depression and if that’s the case then we’ve got to understand that as well. And you don’t need to have any skin colour to have depression. This is not about football, this is about life.”
Aside from mentioning that he made a mistake, Krakouer has never said why he assaulted his victim so badly. Onlookers were “shocked and horrified at the ferocity of the attack.” Did family honour require him to do it, or was it revenge, five years brewing, against the man who had punched him?
Perhaps he doesn’t know why. Like his father, he has said it’s important to look to the future. That is true, but only if one examines the real reasons that mistakes were made in the first place. The answer may lie in the psychological assessment of Krakouer ordered by the judge.
Whether it’s worry caused by family or financial problems, or a clinical case of depression, let’s hope Malthouse and others can still help him, and bring him back to the game for a third time.
C66
Guest
Be respectful of this man. People post things online in a manner which they wouldn’t dare say in person to their face. Let’s not lose our basic human dignity just because we are behind a screen, it is easy to forget. Regardless if someone is a public figure, perhaps we should consider what conversations we would have with them in private “off the record” and then rethink our social media posts.
ptato22
Guest
I agree Andrew. The media should respect the players' privacy, but as soon as a player or ex-player commits suicide (or kills someone else) we'll have endless analysis about how everyone missed the tell-tale signs. It's one thing to rip into a player over personal issues that are seemingly ridiculous (dating an ex-girlfriend of a teammate seems to fit in this category) and another to look generally and objectively at serious issues, while maintaining respect for the player. I think you've balanced the equation on this one.
Andrew Sutherland
Roar Guru
JA, "Why drag up things that happened five years ago?" What, an incident that put him in jail and nearly ruined his football career and life only for him to resurrect himself in a great story for the game only for his problems to arise again and threaten his career and life once more? Yes, I think its worth dragging back again, if only to make the AFL and its clubs realise that "leaving players alone" and sending them away to solve their problems just might not be the answer. Malthouse's comments were no doubt a veiled criticism of Collingwood's handling of the matter.
ManInBlack
Guest
It's pleasant to hear the thoughts of M.Malthouse, but, right now, the thoughts of N.Buckley are probably more important!!
anthcol
Roar Pro
It is absolutely ridiculous to speculate about anything that is going on. He should be left alone to do whatever he needs to do to get better. It is not helpful to know his back story or anything about why he is away or payment issues etc. They are personal matters and should be left alone. Dont really think this article helps or should be written.
amazonfan
Guest
Thanks. :D
Roy
Guest
Spot on amazon.
Roy
Guest
Just because he's a public person doesn't mean the public (no matter how curious) has a right to details of his private issues. Leave the bloke alone.
Jamie Anderson
Guest
Why drag up things that happened over 5 years ago? Answer: simply because this is gutter journalism thinly disguised as being concerned for the media victim's welfare!
amazonfan
Guest
Just because he plays a professional sport, does not mean he gives up his privacy. He's a sportsman, not a politician or a religious leader. "nor would I want anything in the AFL to change because of him." A blanket statement like that doesn't make sense. There are plenty of things about the AFL which should, or has, change. Saying that nothing in the AFL should change because of him ignores that not only is change inevitable, but it is possible for things to change because of him (such as providing additional support in clubs) that are beneficial to the competition. "It’s always supposed to be competitive, it’s supposed to be tough, and in return for it players get the glory, spotlight, money, girls etc. It’s just the way life works – survival of the fittest." On the field, yes. But off the field? I disagree. The AFL is a sporting competition, and I think to describe it or life as 'survival of the fittest' is rather cynical.
Johnno
Guest
I agree. I think indigenous problems are complex and unique issues, and very important to AFL as they produce so many good players. I think there should either be some salary cap exemptions for indigenous players to keep them in there home state close to family, or some compassionate or hardship type issues, and if it is done morally right by clubs and not manipulated then more indigenous players could stay in there home states close to family, and it would be best for the game, and for having more indigenous role models in the sport as they are staying at the top level.
Johnno
Guest
Matt I disagree. Media attention highlights these type of problems, and brogans awareness and less ignorance to the problems that modern day athletes face. ANd with attention it means things can get done. Like Ben Cousins and wayne carry issues, should they be kept hidden according to your logic , I disagree.
TW
Guest
Andrew Krakouers family live in the Swan Valley and are a close knit group which is very common with the Indigineuos community. A local TV Channel interviewed the family after the 2010 WAFL Grand Final - They were very happy for AK, and are footy mad. They are his support base along with the Swan Districts footy club who got connected with AK when he was in prison and mentored him on his release. The Coach- Brian Dawson- at the time of the Swannies looked after him football wise, and everybody saw the results culiminating in Andrews performance in the 2010 WAFL GF. Everybody in WA at the time would have liked the Eagles or Dockers to pick him up but they didn`t Basically he should have not left WA particularly with his background and the rest is history. It is obvious that some people in the non indigineous Australian community have no idea how the other half lives.
Roarchild
Roar Guru
Sometimes being away from the family is better for them depending on the individual circumstances.
Gucci
Guest
I would feel sorry for him if I knew him personally, but since I am just a member of the public, I don't feel sorry for him at all. If he doesn't want the spotlight, he never had to play AFL. It's unfair for anyone to criticse the public for scrutinising public figures. Surely he knew what he was getting into before he first tried out for professional AFL. Maybe Johnno is right that he should stay away from Sydney or Melbourne, but it's not really Sydney or Melbourne's fault for his problems. Lots of black Americans embraced boxing as a way for them to fight their way out of poverty and move up the social ladder. Equally, we have seen plenty of examples of Aboriginal players doing extremely well under the spotlight. No spotlight would mean no interest and no money. It's simply a question of whether Krakouer is up to it or not. Thank you Andrew for giving us background to this story. If his life indeed goes down the drain, I would feel sorry for him on a personal level, but it wouldn't and shouldn't affect my appreciation of AFL at all, nor would I want anything in the AFL to change because of him. It's always supposed to be competitive, it's supposed to be tough, and in return for it players get the glory, spotlight, money, girls etc. It's just the way life works - survival of the fittest.
matt
Guest
I agree that this is a story best kept out of the media. Also not sure how helpful it is for Malthouse to be publicly speculating on his mental health, my feeling is that his main agenda is to show he remains relevant to modern day football.
soapit
Guest
soapit
Guest
nah he's a public person so his story is worth using discussion
Johnno
Guest
If he is from WA or NT, maybe west coast or Fremantle should offer him a deal. Or one of the Adelaide teams , the crows or port power. That way he would be closer to family, and not in the bright lights of places like Sydney or Melbourne which may not do a quiet and shy personality who is from the rural parts or country towns of Australia any good. Many AFL and NRL players form country towns in Australia have fallen victim to the bright city lights.
Roarchild
Roar Guru
I don't feel the urge to unravel the mystery. It was an interesting article though. I really love redemption stories so hope he comes back.